Meghan Markle's father confirms romance with nurse 35 years younger just months after leg amputation

He said he feels "blessed and beyond happy" to have found romance again, explaining: "I never expected to find joy and happiness again at my age.

"I felt neglected and sad for so many years, but now I am enjoying life again."

Mr Markle split with Meghan's mother, Doria Ragland, when the duchess was just five years old and met his new love, Rio, in the rehabilitation hospital where she works in the Philippines.

The retired Hollywood lighting director spent four days in intensive care, followed by weeks in the hospital, before moving to a rehabilitation unit.

He explained that he did not care if the "Sussex squad" would take aim with him over his new love, telling The Mail on Sunday he anticipates backlash.

Mr Markle said: "I know some people will say hurtful things, but I don't care. I want to talk about this because I never thought I would ever be happy again.

"I want people to know you're never too old to find peace and love.

"There's a lot of negative things going on in the world, and if my story can give a little hope to one person, then I'm happy.

"The haters will hate, but to be honest, I don't give a damn. Life is for living. There's nothing more important in life than love."

Mr Markle, who is currently suffering from pneumonia, explained the comfort he feels, saying he "finally feels safe and well-cared for".

He explained: "I've got pneumonia, but I'm not feeling sorry for myself because I have Rio taking such good care of me.

"I hardly watch the news. I live in a world where people are kind to each other. The nurses and doctors here in the Philippines are wonderful.

"People here don't have all the worldly goods we have in the west, but they respect and care for older people.

"There are young trainee nurses here who we call the 'munchkins' and all I hear all day long are peels of laughter.

"I was sad about Meghan for so long, but now I finally feel like I can laugh again. Life is good."

His son, Thomas Markle Jr, has been staying near his father in the Philippines, living just 20 minutes away from the rehabilitation centre and visiting often.

Last month, he shared that his father will be getting a prosthetic leg following his operation.

Mr Markle Jr told The Mirror: "He's going through therapy. He's going through physical rehab.

"We're going to have to get him fitted for a prosthetic here pretty soon and get that man walking again. That's the goal. That's the priority."

The 81-year-old had to have his leg cut off below the knee after a blood clot formed in his left thigh, cutting off the blood supply to his foot.

Meghan "reached out to her father" after he underwent the "life-saving treatment" in December, with a spokesman for the Duchess of Sussex previously telling GB News: "I can confirm she has reached out to her father."

Mr Markle Jr announced at the time that his father had the operation, sharing: "My dad is being very brave. His foot turned blue and then black. It happened very quickly.

"I took him to a local hospital, and they did some scans and an ultrasound and said the leg had to be amputated. There was no option. I was told the leg had to be removed, and it was a case of life or death."

Mr Markle Sr has been estranged from his daughter, Meghan, since her marriage to Prince Harry in 2018.

Meghan's father has never met Prince Archie, Princess Lilibet, or the Duke of Sussex.

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