A look inside Meghan Markle’s struggle to reach her ailing father

According to aides, she would like to have a handwritten note delivered to the ailing former lighting director, who recently underwent surgery to remove a blood clot that resulted in the loss of his left leg below the knee.

The staff working for her are said to believe he is being treated at a hospital in Cebu, the city he moved to earlier this year, but they have not confirmed his exact whereabouts.

Her team says she repeatedly called area medical facilities in hopes of locating him.

However, hospitals dispute such contact.

One facility, speaking with permission from Thomas, said its administrative office, reception, intensive care unit and attending physicians had no record of a call from Markle or anyone acting on her behalf.

Staff there also said Thomas was well known within the hospital and any message from the Duchess would have been recognized immediately.

A source said: “Mr. Markle is a VIP patient. Of course we all know who he is. If Meghan or anyone associated with her had called here, we would have known. It’s a big hospital by Philippine standards, but we all know each other and we all talk.

“We were all confused when we saw the story that the Duchess had contacted her father. As far as we know, that has not happened. We would love to see the Duchess here in the Philippines!”

Multiple sources close to the Markle family expressed bafflement at the multi-millionaire duchess’s approach in trying to locate her father.

One said: ‘This doesn’t make any sense. Anyone else in her position – with her money, her platform, her global network – would get on a plane, speak directly to family members who know exactly where he is, and go see him.

“This long-distance gambling game feels performative, and people close to Thomas find it baffling and mind-blowing.”

Another added: “There are family members by his side. If she really wants contact, she knows exactly who to call. It’s just strange to see her trying to reach him through hospitals.”

Meghan’s spokesperson confirmed on Friday, December 5, that she has “contacted her father.”

Her representatives were told that Thomas is still using the same phone number that Meghan previously used to contact him.

According to DMG Media, journalist Caroline Graham met Thomas and his son Thomas Jr. at his request. been in the Philippines after he got sick.

The company said all their reporting on the matter was done with the express consent of both men.

A spokesperson for DMG Media said: “Ms Graham has confirmed to the Duchess of Sussex’s representative that Mr Markle does not have an active email address but his telephone number, which the Duchess has previously used for him, remains unchanged.

“She has made it clear that she is willing to facilitate contact between them if requested. Every suggestion we have played with Mr. Markle is completely false and strongly denied.”