Meghan Markle’s dad, Thomas, ‘struggling’ after moving to Philippines:
By Nika Shakhnazarova
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Meghan Markle’s estranged father, Thomas Markle, has found it difficult to settle into his new life in the Philippines, The Post can reveal.
The retired TV lighting director, 80, who had previously lived in a cliffside property near the US border in Rosarito, Mexico, for over a decade, moved to the other side of the world earlier this year in a desperate bid to start afresh.
His son and the “Suits” alum’s half brother, Thomas Jr., 58, relocated with him.
Thomas Markle visits grocery store in Mexico.
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Meghan Markle’s estranged father, Thomas Markle, has found it difficult to settle into his new life in the Philippines.
SplashNews.com
Thomas Sr. had set up camp on the densely populated island of Cebu in the Philippines — moving into a $670-per-month high-rise apartment shortly after staying at a nearby 3-star hotel on the island.
However, the move has proven more challenging than expected, with insiders telling The Post that significant differences in climate, language and lifestyle have made it difficult to get acclimated.
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“Thomas and his son took the plunge and moved to Southeast Asia,” a source tells The Post. “It’s been hard but they have each other.”
The insider added that the father-son duo “only recently” moved into their new abode.
Summer temperatures on Cebu Island can range from 80 to 100 degrees and humidity levels often reach 90% — making it tougher for ailing Thomas Sr. to adjust swiftly.
Meghan Markle's half-brother, Thomas Markle Jr., pictured hand-in-hand with a woman in the Philippines.
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His son Thomas Jr., 58, pictured in the Philippines with an unidentified female companion.
Mirrorpix / MEGA
Meghan Markle with her dad Thomas Markle in a throwback photo.
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Thomas’ relationship with Meghan became strained in 2018 shortly before her wedding to Prince Harry.
Channel 5
“There are only two types of weather in Cebu: hot and humid, and hot and humid and raining. It’s brutal even for men half his age, but it’s still sad to see him looking as though he’s struggling,” a source told The Mirror last month.
The regional Emmy winner has relied on the help of a cane to navigate the area’s uneven roads, the outlet adds.
His new home now sits a whopping 7,257 miles away from the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, as well as their children Archie, 6, and Lilibet, who turned 4 on June 4.
Pedestrians cross an intersection in downtown Cebu City, the Philippines.
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Thomas Sr. and his son had set up camp on the densely populated island of Cebu in the Philippines.
Bloomberg via Getty Images
A fishing boat in Cebu City, the Philippines
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The father-son duo moved into a $670-per-month high-rise apartment shortly after staying at a nearby 3-star hotel on the island.
Bloomberg via Getty Images
But it appears as there’s no love lost, as Thomas Sr. hasn’t had any contact with his estranged daughter since 2018.
The pair’s relationship became severely strained shortly before the As Ever founder’s wedding to Harry, and has only continued to sour after he suffered a stroke in 2022. He has yet to meet his grandchildren.
Prior to moving abroad, he teased that he was interested in exploring his options in Southeast Asia, calling it a “place of culture and beauty.”
Meghan Markle's father, Thomas Markle.
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His new home now sits a whopping 7,257 miles away from his estranged daughter and her family.
News Licensing/ MEGA
Meghan Markle holds son Archie and daughter Lilibet.
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Thomas Sr. has yet to meet his grandchildren Prince Archie, 6, and Princess Lilibet, 4.
Meghan Markle/Instagram
“I am ready for a change,” he told the Daily Mail in January. “I have felt stuck in a rut for some time and I am ready to meet new people and experience kindness.”
He added that he wants to live in a more “peaceful” environment to avoid the “awful drama of recent years.”
And while he’s been continuously expressing interest in meeting his two grandchildren, his pleas have been met with silence from the Sussex camp.
After facing a slew of health woes in recent years, he even made a “deathbed plea” to his estranged daughter in April 2023.
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Still, his repeated requests to reconcile have fallen on deaf ears.
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex at the Invictus Games Düsseldorf in Germany.
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Markle attends the cycling medal ceremony at the Invictus Games in September 2023.
WireImage
“I’m not running away. I am going in search of a more positive life,” he said of his move in January. “Every day I see something about Meghan. I wish her no ill will.”
“My dream is that one day I could bring my whole family together, like a ‘normal’ family,'” he added.
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