Prince Harry has spoken out following reports that his wife, Meghan Markle, held a secret meeting with her estranged father, Thomas Markle, without his knowledge.
The revelation has sent shockwaves through royal watchers and fans of the Sussexes alike. Known for his deep-seated mistrust of the media and a history of family tension, Prince Harry has often maintained a protective stance over Meghan, especially regarding her strained relationship with her father. The news that Meghan and Thomas met privately—reportedly without informing Harry—has sparked speculation about trust issues within the couple’s relationship.
The Secret Meeting
According to sources close to the situation, Meghan allegedly arranged a quiet meeting with her father while traveling in California, where Thomas Markle resides. The two reportedly met in a neutral location away from the press, with the goal of finding closure after years of public fallout. Their relationship had soured dramatically following Thomas's absence from Meghan and Harry’s 2018 wedding, and his numerous media interviews criticizing the couple in the years since.
The meeting was described as "tense but civil," with insiders saying Meghan wanted to “clear the air” and assess the possibility of future reconciliation—particularly for the sake of their children, Archie and Lilibet, who have never met their grandfather.
Harry’s Reaction
Prince Harry, who is currently involved in various philanthropic projects and promoting his memoir Spare, broke his silence in a carefully worded statement released by a spokesperson late Tuesday evening.
“Prince Harry was unaware of the meeting between Meghan and Mr. Markle prior to it taking place. While he respects Meghan’s desire to reconcile aspects of her past, he believes that full transparency is crucial in any relationship, especially given the history of public betrayal and media manipulation,” the statement read.
Sources close to Harry suggest he feels “blindsided” by the meeting, as he has long stood by Meghan through her personal and public struggles. One insider claimed, “Harry isn’t upset that Meghan met with her father—he understands the complexity of family—but he’s hurt that it was kept from him.”
Meghan’s Perspective
Representatives for Meghan have not commented directly on the meeting, but a source familiar with her thinking stated, “Meghan acted independently in what she believed was a personal and private matter. She wanted to gauge whether a bridge could be rebuilt with her father without the pressure of media or outside influence.”