The Duchess of Sussex has “reached out” to her estranged father amid reports that he has had his leg amputated in the Philippines.
Meghan made an attempt to contact Thomas Markle, 81, on Friday, her spokesman said.
However, it was unclear whether they actually spoke.
The pair have not been in touch since 2018, following the fallout over staged paparazzi photographs ahead of the Sussexes’ wedding although Meghan is said to have “tried” to reach out in the past.
Her spokesman said on Friday evening: “I can confirm she has reached out to her father.”
The development came after Meghan instructed aides to try and establish whether news reports concerning her father’s health were accurate.
The Daily Mail revealed on Wednesday that Mr Markle was “fighting for his life” after collapsing at his home in Cebu, in the Philippines, where he moved at the beginning of this year.
He underwent emergency surgery followed by a second operation to remove a blood clot, which was said to have resulted in his leg being amputated below the knee.
His son, Meghan’s half brother Thomas Markle Jr, 59, who also relocated to the South East Asian country, told the newspaper on Thursday: “I went to see Dad today. He is heavily medicated on painkillers and other drugs. He is hooked up to all kinds of machines. He’s pretty much out of it.
“The doctors say he is stable, which is good news. He is a brave man and a fighter. I was told the leg had to be removed and it was a case of life or death.
“The whole family is grateful for the outpouring of love and well-wishes from people around the globe, particularly from Britain.”
