An 81-year-old man, a former lighting director, hopes the Duchess of Sussex will visit him one more time before he dies, Page Six reported on December 6. He is recovering at a hospital in the Philippines after having part of his left leg amputated earlier this month.

Hoping to see his daughter and grandchildren again before it’s too late

Thomas Markle also expressed a desire to meet Meghan’s husband, Prince Harry, along with his two grandchildren — Prince Archie (6) and Princess Lilibet (4) — before it is too late.

He said he was confused by reports claiming that Meghan had contacted him after his three-hour surgery. Previously, Meghan’s representative confirmed to Page Six that she had reached out when she learned her father was about to undergo the operation.

However, Thomas Markle insisted he had not changed his phone number so Meghan could always contact him — yet in reality, he said, he did not receive any calls from her.

A hospital source told the Mail on Sunday: “Mr. Markle is a VIP patient. We all know who he is. If Meghan or any of her relatives had called, we certainly would have known. This is a major hospital by Philippine standards — we always keep track of our patients’ information.”

They added: “We were very surprised to see reports that the Duchess had contacted her father. As far as we know, that did not happen. We would very much like to see her here in the Philippines.”

Thomas Markle admitted he wants to talk to his daughter, but wondered whether this might not be the right time: “I have always said I’m willing to reconcile with her. I have never stopped loving Meghan. I don’t want to die estranged. I want to see my grandchildren. And it would also be good if I could meet her husband.”

Meanwhile, Meghan’s half-sister Samantha Markle posted on X to deny claims that Meghan had contacted their seriously ill father: “There has been no contact… Stop making up PR stories.”

Meghan’s half-brother, Thomas Markle Jr., told the Daily Mail that their father had been very brave facing the three-hour surgery: “His leg turned green and then black — it happened very quickly.”

Thomas Markle was taken to a hospital in Cebu, Philippines, for emergency surgery. Doctors there were forced to amputate the lower part of his left leg below the knee to prevent severe infection.

“They were afraid the infection would develop into sepsis or gangrene. The tissue had turned black and completely died,” Thomas Markle Jr. said, adding that “the next two or three days will be very important.”

The first news that Thomas Markle was in intensive care was reported on December 2. He previously missed Meghan and Prince Harry’s 2018 wedding because he had to undergo heart surgery. Thomas Markle shares Meghan with his ex-wife Doria Ragland, and Samantha Markle and Thomas Jr. with his first wife, Roslyn Markle.