Meghan Markle's father is fighting for his life after undergoing emergency surgery.
Thomas Markle, the estranged father of the former Suits star, was rushed to hospital in the Philippines, after being taken ill at his home in the southeast Asian country. Mr Markle has been estranged from his daughter since her marriage to Prince Harry in 2018.
Mr Markle underwent three hours of surgery and was in the intensive care unit, facing a second procedure to remove a second blood clot.
"The sirens going to a much bigger hospital in the centre of the city. My dad has undergone emergency surgery. I would ask everyone around the world to keep him in their thoughts", his son Thomas Jr told The Mail.
Elsewhere, Thomas' daughter Samantha, believes that the strain of the last few years has taken its toll on her father's health.
"He is a strong man, but he has been through so much", she said. "I am praying that he is strong enough to survive this.".
Referring to an earthquake which hit the Philippines in September, Samantha added: "My father has been through two heart attacks, a stroke and an earthquake. I hope he can pull through this".
Previously, Thomas Markle suffered two heart attacks the night before his daughter's wedding to Harry in 2018, meaning that he was unable to board a plane from his home in LA to London. On the day, King Charles walked Markle down the aisle at St George's Chapel in Windsor.
Mr Markle spoke of his appreciation for King Charles' intervention, calling it "‘the most gracious and kind thing to do".
In 2022, he also suffered a massive stroke which left him unable to speak. He did regain some speech following months of therapy, but has become increasingly frail over the years.
He has never met his son-in-law, or his grandchildren Archie and Lillibet.
News of her father's recent setback come as the Duchess of Sussex premiere the Christmas special from her Netflix series. More on this story here.
