Meghan Markle’s Father, Thomas, Speaks up After She Changed Her Last Name
Thomas Markle has broken his silence on his daughter dropping their surname, revealing in a recent interview that he sees it as a rejection of their family.
In a March 9, 2025, interview with The Daily Mail UK, Thomas Markle, 79, shared how his late mother would have felt about the matter. “My mum loved Meghan very much but she would be so disappointed to hear that Meghan no longer wants to use the name ‘Markle.’ My mother was proud to be a Markle. So am I,” he said.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry attend the USA vs. Nigeria wheelchair basketball match at the 2025 Invictus Games in Vancouver on February 9, 2025 | Source: Getty Images
He claimed the Duchess of Sussex never had an issue with it until she married Prince Harry. Sarcastically, he added, “Now I have to say, ‘I am Meghan Sussex’s dad.'”
Thomas has been estranged from Meghan since 2018, after suffering two heart attacks just before her wedding. He said he still does not understand why she “dumped” him but believes she never forgave him for missing the ceremony.
Many online users reacted to Thomas’s comments, with opinions divided over Meghan’s decision and their strained relationship. One person remarked, “The more he talks to the press the more she’s going to keep her distance from him.”
Others criticized Meghan for severing ties with her father. “Really sad how she treats her father! Her father made a mistake, it wasn’t so horrible to never speak to him again!” another user wrote.
Some went further, accusing the Duchess of mistreating her family. “It’s cruel what she put her family through u don’t treat ppl u love like that karma [sic],” a commenter added. Despite a long-standing rift, Thomas’s statements suggest that their fractured relationship remains unresolved.
