The Markle family has been thrown into chaos after Thomas Markle Sr., father of Meghan Markle, was rushed into emergency surgery in the Philippines—an operation that resulted in the amputation of his left leg. But as news broke that Meghan had “reached out” to her father during the crisis, a fresh wave of family infighting erupted, with one member openly accusing the Duchess of Sussex of staging a public-relations stunt.
A Life-Threatening Emergency
According to Page Six, 79-year-old Thomas Markle Sr. was transported to an emergency room in Cebu after suffering severe circulatory complications in his left leg. Doctors quickly determined that the damage was catastrophic.
The limb had turned black due to necrosis, and the medical team warned of imminent risks: sepsis, gangrene, and a potentially fatal systemic infection.
To save his life, surgeons amputated his left leg below the knee.
Hospital officials described the situation as “extremely serious,” adding that Markle would require additional surgery in the coming days to remove dangerous blood clots from his upper leg. The next 72 hours, they stressed, would be critical.
Samantha Markle Explodes — Calls Meghan’s ‘Outreach’ a PR Stunt
While the world reacted with sympathy to the news, Meghan Markle’s half-sister, Samantha Markle, publicly questioned the truthfulness of claims that Meghan had reached out to her father after the amputation.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Samantha accused her sister of using the medical crisis for image rehabilitation:
“You’re so gullible. Believe it when he’s flown on a private jet to a top U.S. hospital. Until then, don’t hold your breath. This looks like PR after she got called out by the public.”
Samantha dismissed reports that paparazzi near the hospital indicated Meghan’s involvement.
“Photographers hanging around doesn’t mean she contacted him. It means someone wants it to look like she did,” she wrote.
Samantha, who has long been estranged from Meghan, argued that her sister had “abandoned” their father years ago and was now “desperate to save face.”
Meghan’s Camp Responds
A spokesperson for Meghan confirmed to Page Six that the Duchess contacted her father after learning of the emergency amputation. According to the source, Meghan expressed concern and offered support.
But the message has done little to calm tensions—and may have intensified suspicions among critics who believe the gesture came too conveniently.
Thomas Markle Jr. Breaks Silence
Meanwhile, Meghan’s half-brother, Thomas Markle Jr., offered a calmer perspective. He confirmed the success of the three-hour operation, calling his father “incredibly brave” and praising the medical team.
Still, he acknowledged the severity of the situation:
“It’s been a rough road for him—heart attacks, a stroke, and now this. We’re all hoping he can recover.”
A History of Health Struggles and Heartbreak
Thomas Markle Sr.’s health has been fragile for years.
He missed Meghan and Prince Harry’s 2018 royal wedding after suffering a heart attack requiring urgent surgery. Since then, he has endured a major stroke in 2022 and ongoing mobility challenges.
The emotional rift between father and daughter began shortly before the wedding, after Thomas collaborated with paparazzi on staged photos—an incident that Meghan described as a profound betrayal.
In a 2021 interview, Meghan reflected on the fallout:
“I grieved a lot. I lost my father. I lost a baby. I nearly lost my name. There was so much loss, but I’m still standing.”
Prince Harry echoed the sentiment in the couple’s 2022 Netflix series:
“She had a father… and now she doesn’t. I carry that. Because if she weren’t with me, her father would still be her father.”
A Family Divided, Again
Today’s crisis has only deepened old wounds.
- Meghan says she reached out.
- Samantha says it’s a lie.
- Thomas Jr. pleads for calm.
- And Thomas Sr. battles for recovery thousands of miles from the home he once shared with his youngest daughter.
Whether Meghan’s gesture was genuine or—as Samantha insists—strategic, one thing is clear: the Markle family remains fractured, and this latest medical emergency may either heal decades of hurt… or drive the divide even deeper.
