Sussex Spokesperson Confirms Meghan Markle "Reached Out" to Dad Thomas After "Life or Death" Leg Amputation

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

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(Image credit: Getty Images/Chris Jackson)

Earlier this week, it was reported that Thomas Markle underwent emergency surgery to have his left leg amputated. Now, a spokesperson for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex has confirmed that Meghan Markle "reached out" to her estranged father upon learning news of his health difficulties.

According to People, Duchess Meghan's spokesperson stated, "I can confirm she has reached out to her father."

The Daily Mail previously reported that Thomas "underwent a three-hour operation on Wednesday [December 3] to remove his left foot and lower leg after a blood clot cut off circulation and the limb turned black."

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Thomas underwent the operation at a hospital in Cebu in the Philippines, with his son, Thomas Jr., telling the outlet, "There was no option. I was told the leg had to be removed and it was a case of life or death."

A headline discusses Meghan Markle's estrangement from father Thomas Markle

Meghan Markle has been estranged from father Thomas Markle since May 2018.

(Image credit: Richard Baker / In Pictures via Getty Images Images)

Thomas is currently recovering in the ICU following surgery. "One of his doctors said the next two or three days are critical," his son Thomas Jr. explained to the Daily Mail. "His left leg has been removed below the knee."

According to Thomas Jr., doctors have indicated that Meghan's father could be at risk of a serious infection following surgery, with the medical team remaining on high alert for any indication of "sepsis or gangrene."

Meghan Markle wearing a white blouse and skirt in front of a purple background

"I can confirm she has reached out to her father."

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Meghan originally cut off contact with her father in May 2018, after it was revealed that Thomas staged paparazzi photos for money in the run up to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's wedding.

During her March 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey, Meghan opened up about how her father's actions affected her. "I said, 'I just need you to tell me and if you tell me the truth, we can help,' and he wasn't able to do that," Meghan explained to Winfrey. "And that, for me, has really resonated, especially now as a mother."

Amy Mackelden
Amy Mackelden
Weekend Editor

Amy Mackelden is the weekend editor at Marie Claire, where she covers celebrity and royal family news. She was the weekend editor at Harper’s BAZAAR for three years, where she covered breaking celebrity and entertainment news, royal stories, fashion, beauty, and politics. Prior to that, she spent a year as the joint weekend editor for Marie Claire, ELLE, and Harper's BAZAAR, and two years as an entertainment writer at Bustle. Her additional bylines include Cosmopolitan, People, The Independent, HelloGiggles, Biography, Shondaland, Best Products, New Statesman, Heat, and The Guardian. Her work has been syndicated by publications including Town & Country, Good Housekeeping, Esquire, Delish, Oprah Daily, Country Living, and Women's Health. Her celebrity interviews include Jennifer Aniston, Jessica Chastain, the cast of Selling Sunset, Emma Thompson, Jessica Alba, and Penn Badgley. In 2015, she delivered an academic paper at Kimposium, the world's first Kardashian conference.