Thomas Markle sends King Charles ‘all the good wishes in the world’ following cancer diagnosis
Meghan Markle‘s estranged father Thomas wished King Charles ‘all the good wishes in the world’ after the monarch’s cancer diagnosis was revealed on Monday.
Thomas, 79, who has had his own health woes and is still recovering from a major stroke he suffered in 2002, said: ‘I want to send my best wishes to King Charles and hope he gets well very soon. I wish him all the good wishes in the world.’
Charles, 75, was diagnosed with cancer that was discovered during treatment for an enlarged prostate more than a week ago, Buckingham Palace announced on Monday. The Palace confirmed that it was not prostate cancer but did not reveal any other details about the disease.
The King walked Meghan Markle down the aisle at her 2018 wedding to Prince Harry after Thomas suffered two heart attacks on the eve of the wedding and was ordered by doctors not to fly.
He has spoken in the past of his disappointment at not being able to walk his daughter down the aisle of St. George’s Chapel at Windsor, but said he would be ‘eternally grateful’ to the King for stepping in at the last minute.
Meghan Markle’s estranged father Thomas wished King Charles ‘all the good wishes in the world’ for a speedy recovery from cancer. He said: ‘I want to send my best wishes to King Charles and hope he gets well very soon. I wish him all the good wishes in the world’
Meghan Markle (left) pictured with her father in earlier years. The King walked her down the aisle at her 2018 wedding to Prince Harry after Thomas suffered two heart attacks
Thomas and his daughter Meghan have had a fraught relationship in recent years.
Mr Markle begged the Duchess of Sussex to let him see his grandchildren last September, adding that he has not seen her for five years.
At the time, Meghan’s father compared himself to King Charles, saying both of them have been deprived of contact with their grandchildren. ‘King Charles has done nothing wrong too and he is denied the kids as well as I am,’ he said.
Mr Markle last spoke out in May 2023 after Harry made a whistlestop visit to the UK for King Charles’s coronation.
The 79-year-old, said he had stayed up all night to watch the ceremony on TV at his home in Rosarito, Mexico.
He told the Mail on Sunday he believed ‘it was for the best’ that the Duchess stayed at home.
He continued: ‘There are too many disagreements between Meghan, Harry and the Royals. It was wonderful to watch the good people of Britain welcome their new King and Queen.’
The 75-year-old monarch returned to London from Sandringham to begin his cancer treatment on Monday, Buckingham Palace confirmed.
It is not connected with his recent surgery and is not prostate cancer, but medics spotted it when he underwent his medical procedure for an enlarged prostate.
The 75-year-old monarch returned to London from Sandringham to begin his cancer treatment on Monday, Buckingham Palace confirmed
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry stepped down from their royal duties in 2020
Thomas Markle with his daughter Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex. She married into the British royal family in 2018, but stepped down from her duties for a life in Montecito, California
The King is understood to have personally informed his sons Prince William and Prince Harry about his condition.
The Duke of Sussex will travel to the UK from his home in Montecito, California, to see him in the coming days, a source close to Harry said.
Buckingham Palace said in a statement: ‘During The King’s recent hospital procedure for benign prostate enlargement, a separate issue of concern was noted. Subsequent diagnostic tests have identified a form of cancer.
‘His Majesty has today commenced a schedule of regular treatments, during which time he has been advised by doctors to postpone public-facing duties. Throughout this period, His Majesty will continue to undertake State business and official paperwork as usual.
‘The King is grateful to his medical team for their swift intervention, which was made possible thanks to his recent hospital procedure.
The King is understood to have personally informed his sons Prince William and Prince Harry about his condition
‘He remains wholly positive about his treatment and looks forward to returning to full public duty as soon as possible.
‘His Majesty has chosen to share his diagnosis to prevent speculation and in the hope it may assist public understanding for all those around the world who are affected by cancer.’
The King also apologised for having to postpone his upcoming engagements.
A spokesman added: ‘Regrettably, a number of the King’s forthcoming public engagements will have to be rearranged or postponed.
‘His Majesty would like to apologise to all those who may be disappointed or inconvenienced as a consequence.’
Announcing that Prince Harry will come and see his father, a source close to the Duke said: ‘The duke did speak with his father about his diagnosis.
‘He will be traveling to UK to see His Majesty in the coming days.’
