Before Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, ever crossed paths with Prince Harry, her life was already steeped in emotional complexity, one that revolved around her deep bond with her father, Thomas Markle. For years, long before royal titles or paparazzi flashes, Meghan shared countless moments with her father, a man she was once incredibly close to.

Her parents were divorced, and she lived with her father from junior high onwards. Thomas Markle happily shuttled the “determined” young girl around to her daily activities. The family friend, who did not wish to be identified, said: “She was very close to her dad. I spent years watching Meghan being picked up and dropped off at various locations by her father.

“Meghan’s dad was viewed by other school parents as a consistent parent, the current rift is so sad for many to see. She was a determined girl and her relationship with her father was nothing but loving and supportive on both sides.”

Thomas Markle worked as a lighting director in Hollywood, which led to Meghan’s love of acting. The family friend added Thomas was a parent others would see around Meghan’s school “all of the time.”

“Her dad was primarily taking care of her after Meghan’s parents divorced. He would pick her up and take her to set with him. He worked on soap operas, commercials, you name it.”

Unfortunately for the once-close duo, it has now been made clear they are no longer on speaking terms. Thomas caused hysteria a few days before Meghan and Harry’s magical wedding. He staged a photoshoot, where he was seen at an internet cafe researching the royal couple.

He now says he regrets his actions that caused the family rift. After the paparazzi scandal, Thomas and Meghan grew even further apart, and he suffered a heart attack and missed her wedding.

However, since the Sussexes have stepped back from their roles as senior royals, Thomas told US Weekly that he was “disappointed in his daughter and Harry”.

The family friend said Thomas’s views appear to be completely different from two decades ago.

“The only time Thomas was upset with anything Meghan did was when she went off to study college in Chicago,” said the family friend.

“But of course, that was just because he was going to miss her. It was hard for him to watch her go, but he was so proud.”

He has also slammed his daughter for her royal departure in US and UK interviews. The US citizens said in an interview last month: “They’ve hurt the Queen. I think they’ve hurt the royals and it just doesn’t work to be going to another country and serving England.

“It’s never going to work – I’m a little embarrassed for them and feeling very sorry for the Queen. I have every respect and admiration for the Queen.”