Meghan Markle Reportedly Spending Christmas in Montecito — 'No Plans' to See Amputee Father Thomas

The prospect of a holiday reconciliation between the Sussexes and the Markle family seems all but extinguished, with confirmed reports indicating that the couple will not be travelling to visit Meghan's ailing father, Thomas, following his life-altering surgery. Despite the grave nature of Thomas Markle's recent health crisis — which saw the 81-year-old undergo a leg amputation in the Philippines — the festive season for the Sussex household remains strictly a Californian affair.

While families across the globe use the holidays to bridge divides, the rift within the Markle family appears deeper than ever. The Duchess of Sussex's father was rushed into surgery earlier this month, a traumatic event where surgeons were forced to amputate his leg below the knee to save his life. Yet, sources close to the situation confirm that the duke and duchess have no intention of altering their schedule to be by his bedside during this recovery period.

Meghan Markle Prioritises Montecito Christmas Over Crisis Visit

Instead of a trans-Pacific mercy dash, the Suits star, 44, and the Duke of Sussex, 41, have locked in a domestic celebration. They are set to spend Christmas at their Montecito sanctuary with their two children, Prince Archie, 6, and Princess Lilibet, 4. Joining the family festivities will be Meghan's mother, Doria Ragland, ensuring a tight-knit, albeit exclusive, gathering.

Following the quiet Christmas at home, the couple plans to depart the United States for a New Year's trip, further cementing the physical distance between Meghan and her father. This decision has raised eyebrows among critics and insiders alike, particularly given the resources at the couple's disposal.

A source speaking to Page Six noted the stark contrast between Thomas's ordeal and the Sussexes' capabilities, remarking: 'If she knows where he is, why wouldn't she go to him? She rarely flies commercial'.

The implication is clear: Meghan has the option to utilise private aviation to visit her father without the chaos of public travel, yet has actively chosen not to do so. This creates a heartbreaking juxtaposition between the family's luxurious holiday plans and the grim reality facing the retired lighting director.

Confusion Mounts as Thomas Markle Begs for Contact

The medical details surrounding Thomas's condition are harrowing. His leg was amputated below the knee after a severe blood clot in his thigh cut off circulation. The progression was rapid and terrifying, with reports detailing how his foot turned blue and then black before doctors intervened to remove the limb.

Despite the severity of the situation, communication between father and daughter remains a confused and contested battleground. Sources from Meghan's camp insist that the duchess has made genuine attempts to reach out. 'It has been exceedingly difficult for the duchess to contact her father privately, despite her efforts over the past several days,' a representative explained to Page Six, adding that with the help of trusted contacts, 'her correspondence is now safely in his hands'.

An insider further claimed Meghan had secured his hospital details early on but stopped short of a direct telephone conversation: 'Meghan had her father's number and room and hospital name very early on ... she won't even call him'.

Thomas, however, paints a different picture of radio silence. Speaking to the Daily Mail shortly after the operation, the grandfather-of-two expressed his enduring sorrow over the estrangement which began shortly before the royal wedding in 2018. 'I don't want to die estranged from Meghan. I want to meet my grandkids. It might be nice to meet her husband too,' he told the British publication.

He added a poignant note on the possibility of a reunion: 'Of course I want to speak to her [Meghan] but I am not sure if these are the right circumstances. I've always said I am open to reconciling with my daughter. I have never stopped loving her'.

The animosity between the two largely stems from the infamous 2018 incident where Thomas staged paparazzi photographs and subsequently missed the wedding due to two heart attacks. Years of silence have followed, and it appears that even a tragedy of this magnitude is insufficient to bring the duke and duchess to his door this Christmas.