Meghan duchess of susex dad thomas markle has leg amputated reports 20251206 p5qrrj.html – Breaking News & Latest Updates 2026
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Meghan reaches out to father Thomas Markle for first time in years as his leg is amputated in 'life-saving' surgery

Gabrielle Oehlmann

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex has reached out to her dad for the first time since 2018 after he lost his leg in a life-saving surgery.

"I can confirm she has reached out to her father," a spokesperson for Meghan told The Sun, although it has not been confirmed whether the pair have actually spoken yet.

Meghan's reported olive branch to her father Thomas Markle, 81, comes as he recently underwent emergency surgery to have his leg amputated in an effort to save his life.

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WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 14: Duchess of Sussex and Founder of As Ever Meghan Markel attends Fortune Most Powerful Women Summit 2025 at Salamander Hotel on October 14, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Leigh Vogel/Getty Images for Fortune Media)

Meghan Markle has reportedly reached out to her dad amid his health scare. Getty Images for Fortune Media

Her dad was rushed to hospital after falling ill at his home in the Philippines, according to his son Thomas Markle Jr.

Thomas previously revealed that Markle had been taken to hospital and was in a "stable condition" in the ICU but has since revealed that the 81-year-old underwent a three-hour operation to remove his left foot and lower leg after a blood clot complication.

"My dad is being very brave. His foot turned blue and then black. It happened very quickly," Thomas Jr told the Daily Mail.

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Thomas Markle in Channel 5 documentary Thomas Markle: My Story

Thomas Markle has had his leg amputated in a life-saving surgery, his son says. Channel 5

"I took him to a local hospital and they did some scans and an ultrasound and said the leg had to be amputated."

Markle was immediately rushed via ambulance from the local hospital to a bigger hospital in Cebu, Philippines to undergo the amputation.

"There was no option. I was told the leg had to be removed and it was a case of life or death," Thomas Jr told the publication.

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Now the procedure is complete, doctors are still concerned for his heath, Thomas said

"One of his doctors said the next two or three days are critical. His left leg has been removed below the knee. They were worried about infection setting in – sepsis or gangrene. The flesh was black and dying," Thomas added.

"There was no option given. It was either 'we have to operate now and remove the leg or he may die'. It was a life-threatening situation."

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Markle remains in the ICU in a "stable condition", Thomas says.

Thomas Markle and Meghan Markle file photo

Meghan and her dad have been estranged since her 2018 wedding. AP

Previously, when Thomas revealed his father's emergency surgery, he made a plea to his sister.

"My only wish is that Meghan shows my father some compassion. He is literally fighting for his life," he said.

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Markle has had two heart attacks in the past as well as a stroke. He moved to the Philippines in January this year after spending 10 years liiving in Mexico.

harry and meghan wedding 2018

Markle was not present at his daughter's wedding to Prince Harry in 2018. Getty

Due to his heart issues, he was unable to attend the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan in May 2018.

In his absence, King Charles, who was Prince of Wales at the time, stepped in to walk his daughter-in-law down the aisle at St George's Chapel.

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Meghan and her father had been estranged since the wedding.

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