With news that Thomas Markle is out of intensive care after an emergency leg amputation, insiders reveal Prince Harry is “struggling to cope with the fallout” of his wife’s reaction and is now determined to fix their shattered relationships with both their ailing dads.
Just days after 81-year-old Thomas’ surgery, Harry scored a legal win. Britain’s Home Office approved a full review of his protection detail.
“It’s opened up a whole new world of opportunities for Harry to be able to bring his family back to the UK,” tells a source.
“But it’s made it even more unacceptable that Meghan’s estrangement from her family continues. Harry can’t bear that their dads are suffering and they’re forbidden from helping.”
Family feuds & public scrutiny
While friends suspect Harry’s blind to how deep the rifts are, he takes the safety of his family very seriously.
“It’s easy to see why he and Meghan fear the Markles’ history of selling stories to the press,” adds the insider.
Thomas – who’s been estranged from Meghan since a 2018 wedding photo scandal – underwent a below-the-knee amputation on his left leg on 3 December in the Philippines. A severe infection had turned life-threatening. His son Thomas Markle Jr confirmed the “life or limb” ordeal to the press, adding that his father now faces a massive medical bill.
A plea for reconciliation
Thomas Sr himself sent a public message to Meghan from his hospital bed, pleading for a reconciliation, saying, “I don’t want to die estranged.”
The Duchess of Sussex, 44, was branded “heartless” for not visiting or at least making a phone call. Instead, she sent her dad a letter, which a rep said was “safely in his hands”.
Friends have been quick to defend Meghan, with one saysing, “Anything she does with her family is sold to the papers the next day. “This isn’t about caution – it’s about safety and the fact she’s been getting more online threats proves it. This could have been handled completely differently, but instead, Meghan’s again on the back foot with the Markles. “It’s typical of them to throw out a GoFundMe page rather than ask for her help privately.”
Harry steps in
However, Harry’s had enough of siblings getting in the way of them reconnecting with their dads.
“He can’t bear all the negative press that Meghan’s getting,” adds the friend.
“He’s still siding with her over everything, thinking she’s being treated unfairly, but his security review has now opened the door to a homecoming with his family.”
A security review sparks hope
The review could restore armed escorts for UK visits. Friends believe the opportunity has Harry urging Meghan to reconcile with her father.
“It’s shocking they’re in similar situations with both their dads facing close calls with death,” says the pal.
“Harry knows it’s time to bury the hatchet and even Meghan’s starting to agree.”
Chaos at Athena’s Christening!
Just days after Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie declined to attend the Princess of Wales’ Carols by Candlelight concert, royal biographer Phil Dampier says the sisters are “walking a tightrope.” They are balancing loyalty to their parents and allegiance to the royal family.
“They didn’t want to turn the event into a circus by having attention on them, so they took the decision to stay away,” reveals Phil.
And balancing their relationship with their disgraced parents, Sarah Ferguson and Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, was especially hard ahead of Beatrice and husband Edo Mapelli Mozzi’s daughter Athena’s christening. With Sarah and Andrew due to attend, Beatrice has been forced to make the event “tight-knit and discreet”.
Adding Andrew will be kept out of any photos, Phil says, “It’s not thought the King, William or Kate will turn up.”
