A GoFundMe campaign for Meghan Markle’s estranged father, Thomas Markle, has garnered over $50,000 to cover his medical expenses. Thomas, who has been distanced from Meghan since her 2018 wedding, has voiced his heartbreak over not seeing his grandchildren and recently criticized Prince Harry and Meghan for their treatment of King Charles.
The fundraiser, initiated by British socialite Lady Colin Campbell, has received significant donations, reaching £45,640 (approximately $59,000) from over 2,400 contributors as of now.
In the fundraiser description, Lady Campbell praised Thomas for his generosity. “Thomas Markle has been exceedingly generous with his time and money over the years, as I have learnt from the teachers at his daughter’s school, who could not sing his praises highly enough,” she wrote. She emphasized his well-known kindness in the film community, adding, “Now that he has been rejected and abandoned by the daughter, those of us who wish to show him solidarity and give him the acknowledgment he should be getting from the actual recipient of his largesse, will hopefully, through our contributions, no matter how small, demonstrate to him that there are still people in the world with good hearts, good values, and good intentions.”
As a self-described “well-wisher,” Campbell expressed her hope that the donations will provide Thomas, 80, with the comfort he needs as his health deteriorates.
Thomas and Meghan have been estranged since her marriage to Prince Harry in 2018, leaving him without a chance to build a relationship with his grandchildren, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. Last year, Thomas made a heartfelt plea on Good Morning Britain for Meghan and Harry to let him see his grandchildren after suffering a debilitating stroke. “I’m heartbroken. I am very upset,” he said. “This is a cruel thing to do to a grandparent — to deny the right to see a grandchild.”
Thomas opened up about the prolonged rift, stating it has lasted over four years with no resolution in sight. He mentioned he could legally sue to see his grandchildren but chose not to. “I’ve done nothing wrong. There’s nothing that points to say I’m a bad guy,” he claimed.
Earlier this year, Thomas expressed his desire to reconnect with Meghan, though he remains doubtful it will happen. “I know the one person I most want to hear from, Meghan, won’t be in touch,” he told the Daily Mail in June, before his birthday. “I would love to meet my grandchildren, but I would be happy with a photograph at this stage.”
Thomas also criticized Meghan and Harry for keeping their children away from their royal relatives. He lamented, “It struck me as very sad that Meghan and Harry’s kids are being denied the right to know their cousins, who look like fantastic children, or take part in things like Trooping the Colour, which is their birthright.” He added, “They are getting to the age where they will start to ask questions, as all kids do. I find myself wondering how Archie and Lilibet will feel in a few years’ time when they realize all the things they have missed out on.”
Meghan’s half-siblings, Samantha and Thomas Markle Jr., are also not in a good place with her. Samantha has unsuccessfully attempted to sue Meghan for libel, while Thomas Jr. has repeatedly attacked Meghan online, promoting wild conspiracy theories and posting videos mocking her.
Royal expert Jennie Bond condemned Thomas Jr.’s behavior as “grotesque,” stating, “To have your own flesh and blood lead the assault must feel like the ultimate betrayal for Meghan.” Bond argued that Thomas Jr.’s videos reveal why Meghan was right to cut ties with him. Despite his constant jabs, Meghan has not responded, focusing instead on her family with Prince Harry and her lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard.