Meghan Markle makes contact with estranged father Thomas Markle in hospital

The Duchess of Sussex has finally been able to make contact with her estranged father Thomas Markle in hospital via a letter, her spokesperson says.

The media personality’s correspondence is said to be “safely” in the hands of her father, who continues to have a reporter by his bedside “broadcasting each interaction”, the spokesperson said.

Markle has had his left leg amputated, according to reports, and told the Mail on Sunday he did not want to die distanced from his daughter, and wishes to meet Meghan’s children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, and her husband, the Duke of Sussex.

Last Friday, the duchess’s spokesperson said she had “reached out” to her father, whom she has been estranged from since her 2018 wedding when he was caught staging paparazzi photos in the run-up to the big day.

But The Mail on Sunday reported Markle was “confused” by the suggestion and added he said he had not received any messages despite not changing his phone number.

The spokesperson has given an update and it is understood the communication was via a letter: “Given that a Daily Mail reporter has remained at her father’s bedside throughout, broadcasting each interaction and breaching clear ethical boundaries, it has been exceedingly difficult for the duchess to contact her father privately, despite her efforts over the past several days.

“With the support of reliable and trusted contacts, her correspondence is now safely in his hands.”