Meghan Markle reaches out to her father after he had his leg amputated.

Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, contacted her father, Thomas Markle, following his emergency leg amputation, according to information reported by PEOPLE magazine. The outreach, carried out by email, was intended to provide discreet and confidential follow-up with her father, 81, who has been estranged from the duchess since 2018.

According to the magazine, Meghan sent the email Friday late morning (Pacific Time), as soon as she learned of the surgery. A spokesperson for the duchess confirmed that the initiative stemmed from concern for Thomas Markle’s health and that she had made contact the same day she heard the news.

However, according to the Mail on Sunday, Thomas Markle says he is “bewildered” by these reports and claims he received no message from his daughter. The rift between father and daughter remains marked by years of distance, notably because of the staging of paparazzi photos before Meghan’s marriage to Prince Harry.

A strained relationship despite the desire for reconciliation

Thomas Markle told the Mail on Sunday he wants to reconnect with his daughter and meet his grandchildren. “Of course, I want to speak with her, but I’m not sure the circumstances are appropriate. I’ve always said I was open to reconciling with my daughter. I’ve never forgotten her,” he said. He also specified that he has never changed his phone number and that he hopes Meghan can reach him directly.

For its part, Meghan Markle’s team tried to obtain information on the best way to contact Thomas during his recovery in intensive care in the Philippines. According to a hospital source cited by the Mail on Sunday, no contact attempts were recorded by the hospital.

Despite the tensions and media misunderstandings, Meghan Markle appears to want to maintain a discreet connection with her father, while Thomas Markle remains open to a family reconciliation.