Meghan Markle's alleged “refusal” to allow her father to meet his grandchildren has left a “bad stain” and left him “no choice but to walk away”, a royal expert has said.
Although her estranged father was “very good to her”, Meghan is the “main reason” he will never meet his grandchildren.
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“It would have meant a lot to him and it would have cost them nothing,” Hugo Vickers told The Sun.
Thomas Markle, a former film director, currently residing in Mexico, revealed yesterday that he has plans to move to the other side of the world for a “fresh start.”
The 80-year-old has split from Meghan, his eldest daughter, with their last known conversation before the royal wedding in 2018.
Thomas told MailOnline: “I'm ready for a change. I've felt stuck in a rut for a while and I'm ready to meet new people and experience kindness.”
The paternal relationship has been dragged out publicly in the run-up to Meghan's wedding to Prince Harry.
After her father was accused of selling the photos to photographers, the fallout means the 80-year-old has never met his grandchildren, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
In a dramatic interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2021, Meghan explained how she was “very sad” because she “lost” her father.
She also spoke of the “betrayal I felt” when he lied to her about not speaking to the media.
Her father, who was resigned to not meeting the five- and three-year-olds, chose to travel with his son and Meghan's half-brother, Thomas Junior.
After suffering ill health, including two heart attacks and a stroke, he told the Mail how he planned to leave his California home, which was filled with photos of his daughter.
Royal expert Hugo Vickers told The Sun he felt “pity” for his father.
“It wouldn't hurt them to give it to his grandchildren,” said Hugo.
“It's really up to her, if she wants to see it, she can see it easily.
“He left the door open, and the king also left the door open, but she was the one who stopped him.”
Hugo also said he “can't imagine” what the estranged father did to never meet his grandchildren.
Suggesting that Meghan's “general disdain” for her father may be to blame, Hugo explained how the introduction would “obviously mean a lot to him” and that the public would “respect her” for doing so.
Even more so given her father's ill health.
Describing Meghan's latest TV show centered around joy in the kitchen, Hugo explained how “it all starts at home” and with family.
He added: “He did a lot of things for her, so you know, you can be very big-hearted, you can make a small gesture.
“He's not asking for much. Montecito and Mexico are not very far apart. It would be very easy to do, while, of course, if he went to live in Southeast Asia, there's no doubt that anyone would see him again.”
“It's no fun sitting in a bungalow in Mexico, knowing that your daughter and her kids are, you know, more or less close at hand, but you can't. You never see them? That must be kind of frustrating.”
The Sun has contacted a Sussex representative for comment.
Meghan Markle's estranged father Thomas reveals he is moving to Asia and fears he will never meet his grandchildren
By Summer Raymason
Meghan Markle's estranged father Thomas has revealed he is leaving America and fears he will never meet his grandchildren.
The esteemed former lighting director plans to move this year to spend his time with “good people,” possibly in Southeast Asia.
This comes at a time when the Duchess of Sussex, 43, launched her program With Love, Meghan and published a mysterious video to mark the year 2025, indicating a new beginning.
Thomas, 80, who has suffered ill health including two heart attacks and a stroke, told the Mail he was leaving his California home after 10 years.
The retiree, who previously lived in Mexico for 10 years, said: “I'm ready for a change. I've felt stuck in a rut for a while and I'm ready to meet new people and experience kindness.”
His home, just 250 miles from Meghan, was filled with photos and medals of his daughter – whom he affectionately calls “Megsy”.
He also watched Meghan and Harry's wedding through a £23-a-night Airbnb in the country.
Thomas also spoke about the Duchess's first husband, Trevor Engelson, whom he said he “really loved.”
She divorced the Hollywood producer just two years before meeting Harry through mutual friends.
Thomas claimed he didn't think Trevor “ever understood” why he ended the marriage.
Thinking about the future, the father-of-three admitted he had resigned himself to the fact that he would probably never meet Archie, five, or Lilibet, three.
But the grandfather is looking forward to traveling with his son and Meghan's half-brother, Thomas Jr, with whom he has a good relationship.
He said “it's time to move on” and “enjoy the time I have left” in a place that offers “peace”.
The Duchess's estranged father also admitted that although he doesn't like some of Meghan's behaviour, his “door is always open”.
Thomas has been separated from his daughter since he suffered two heart attacks on the eve of her wedding to Harry.
The pensioner was unable to walk her down the aisle, and they have not been in contact since.
More trouble erupted between the couple after Thomas posed for photographers before Harry and Meghan tied the knot.
