Thomas Markle once played a pivotal role in Meghan Markle’s life, influencing her early love for film and theater through his work as a lighting director and director of photography. However, in recent years, their relationship has become strained and distant.

Meghan has spoken fondly of her childhood memories, crediting her father for exposing her to the entertainment industry. “Every day after school for 10 years, I was on the set of Married… with Children,” she shared in an interview with Esquire. “It was a funny and ironic place for a little girl in a Catholic school uniform to grow up.” She recalled her father shielding her from certain scenes, saying, “There were times when he’d suggest I help out in the craft services room because something was a bit too off-color for my young eyes.”

Despite her familiarity with Hollywood, Meghan was determined to avoid the stereotypical “L.A. girl dreaming of stardom” narrative. She pursued higher education at Northwestern University, where she studied communication and later double-majored in theater and international relations.

Their bond began to unravel in the lead-up to Meghan’s wedding to Prince Harry. The rift deepened when Thomas staged paparazzi photos showing him preparing for the event, including images of him reading about Britain and shopping for a suit. Shortly afterward, he suffered heart issues that prevented him from attending the ceremony.

Tensions escalated when Thomas referred to the Royal Family as a “cult” in an interview, further alienating Meghan. Since then, their relationship has remained fractured. Thomas has never met his grandchildren, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, and he learned of Lilibet’s birth through the media.

In 2022, when Thomas faced health challenges, he claimed that neither Meghan nor Harry reached out to him, leaving their estrangement unresolved.