Thomas Markle Breaks His Silence as Meghan’s UK Return Nears — ‘I Will Never Understand Why She Turned Her Back on Me’

Thomas Markle has spoken publicly about his painful relationship with daughter Meghan Markle as the Duchess prepares for another return to the UK, saying he was hurt to learn about the trip at the same time as the rest of the world.

The 82-year-old, who is recovering in an American rehabilitation facility following a leg amputation, said he discovered that Meghan and Prince Harry were planning to return to Britain after seeing the news on CNN.

“I’m hurt and upset that she doesn’t give a damn about me, even though I’m in hospital,” he told the Daily Mail.

His comments come after years of tension between the father and daughter, whose relationship deteriorated dramatically around Meghan’s 2018 wedding to Prince Harry.

Thomas Markle Says He Still Wants to Meet His Grandchildren

Markle Sr. recalled a time when he and Meghan were extremely close, describing her as his “daddy’s girl.” But he said their relationship has since changed beyond recognition.

His greatest regret, he suggested, is that he has never met Meghan and Harry’s children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.

“One day those kids will ask about their ‘other’ grandfather – the one that isn’t King – the one that Meghan and Harry are apparently ashamed of,” he said.

“I hope they know how much I wanted to meet them.”

Thomas also insisted that, despite everything that has happened between them, his feelings for his daughter have not disappeared.

“I will never stop loving my daughter, but I will never understand why she turned her back on me,” he said.

A Relationship That Has Been Fractured for Years

The strained relationship dates back to the period surrounding Meghan and Harry’s 2018 wedding. Thomas faced intense criticism after posing for paparazzi photographs before the ceremony, an episode that further damaged his relationship with his daughter.

More recently, his situation became even more serious after he underwent an amputation in December following a serious blood clot while living in the Philippines.

After the operation, Thomas returned to the United States and publicly expressed his disappointment that Meghan had not visited him.

He previously made an emotional appeal for reconciliation, saying he did not want to “die estranged” from his daughter. He also hoped to meet Harry and his grandchildren while he still had the opportunity.

Thomas Says He Kept His Number So Meghan Could Reach Him

Despite their long-running feud, Thomas said he deliberately kept the same phone number so Meghan could contact him whenever she wanted.

He claimed, however, that he had not heard from the Sussexes following his surgery.

The Daily Mail reported that neither the hospital nor its staff had heard from Meghan or her representatives at the time.

But Meghan’s side has disputed that account.

A spokesperson for the Duchess told PEOPLE that she had contacted her father and that, with the assistance of “reliable and trusted contacts,” her correspondence had safely reached him.

The conflicting accounts have added another layer to an already deeply strained family relationship.

Now, with Meghan and Harry preparing for another UK visit, Thomas has once again spoken openly about the distance between them — and about the grandchildren he says he has always wanted the chance to meet.

Whether the family will eventually find a way to bridge that divide remains uncertain.