The decision comes at a sensitive time, as her father’s declining health has renewed public attention on their fractured relationship and placed the Duchess of Sussex under growing pressure to respond.
According to sources familiar with the situation, Meghan wants to protect her public image while also grappling with unresolved emotional pain. On one hand, reconciling with her ailing father could be seen as a compassionate step.
On the other hand, the Duchess is said to fear being hurt again, particularly given their difficult history and the strain his past actions placed on her life. Those close to Meghan suggest she remains deeply cautious. One concern reportedly weighing on her is the possibility that reconnecting with Thomas could indirectly open the door for Prince Harry to pursue his own reconciliation with the royal family.
Meghan is believed to know that Harry is eager to make peace with his father, King Charles, who has been battling cancer, and she fears that one reunion could set off another chain of events beyond her control.
The former Suits actress has also not forgotten the betrayals she associates with her father. Thomas Markle’s involvement with the media around the time of her 2018 wedding to Prince Harry remains a painful chapter for her. That episode, which unfolded just days before the ceremony, damaged trust and contributed to their long-standing estrangement.
Despite these fears, Meghan is reportedly mindful of how the situation looks publicly, especially given her father’s current health struggles. Royal commentators have warned that continuing to ignore Thomas’s emotional appeals could backfire, suggesting that reconciliation may ultimately serve Meghan’s long-term interests, both personally and in the court of public opinion.
Thomas Markle, who recently underwent a leg amputation while living in the Philippines, has spoken openly about feeling lonely and isolated. He has repeatedly expressed a desire to reconnect with his daughter and has said he longs to meet his grandchildren, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, whom he has never seen in person.
In a small but notable gesture, Meghan has reportedly inquired about her father’s health by sending him a handwritten letter. While the move signals concern, it remains unclear whether she is prepared to take the next step and visit him once he is discharged from the hospital.
There is also uncertainty over whether such a visit would include Archie and Lilibet. Adding another layer to the situation, Prince Harry has recently fueled speculation about a potential return to the UK. He scored a partial victory in his long-running security case after the Home Office agreed to review his request for taxpayer-funded, round-the-clock police protection during visits to Britain.
That development has led some observers to believe Harry may soon spend more time in the UK, further complicating Meghan’s decision-making. Meghan appears torn between protecting herself from past hurt and responding to a situation that continues to evolve emotionally, publicly, and politically.