Meghan reaches out to Thomas Markle after her father's leg was amputated in emergency surgery

Lewis Henderson

By Lewis Henderson


Published: 05/12/2025

- 20:40

Updated: 05/12/2025

- 21:31

The Duchess of Sussex's father had his leg amputated below the knee

Meghan Markle "has reached out to her father" after he had his leg amputated below the knee, according to Thomas Markle's son.

A spokesman for the Duchess of Sussex has told GB News: "I can confirm she has reached out to her father."


GB News understands The Duchess of Sussex reached out to her estranged father this evening.

The People's Channel believes that Meghan has tried to contact her father in the past.

Meghan MarkleMeghan Markle 'has reached out to her father'. | GETTY

The Duchess of Sussex's father underwent the three-hour surgery on Wednesday evening after a blood clot cut off circulation, turning his lower leg black.

Mr Markle's son, Thomas Jr, confirmed his father had the operation last night, saying: "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."

Thomas Markle

Thomas Markle has undergone an emergency amputation of his lower left leg following a blood clot that created a life-threatening medical crisis, according to his son.

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ITV

The retired lighting director was taken to the hospital on Tuesday after suffering a medical emergency at home.

He was then rushed via ambulance to a larger hospital, where doctors immediately took him into surgery to remove the leg.

The father-of-three also now faces a procedure to remove another clot in his left thigh.

Thomas Jr said: "One of his doctors said the next two or three days are critical.

Meghan Markle

Meghan's half-brother, Thomas Markle Jr, said their father's situation was 'life-threatening'.

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GETTY

"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.

"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."

According to doctors treating Mr Markle, who spoke to the Daily Mail, the next few days are "critical".

Meghan Markle

A spokesman for the Duchess of Sussex has told GB News: 'I can confirm she has reached out to her father.'

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GETTY

One doctor said: "The wound is healing, but the next 24 to 72 hours are critical.

"We need to make sure the wound heals and does not become infected. At the moment, he is in stable condition and doing well. But, at his age, that could change quickly."

Mr Markle 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.