Meghan Markle's estranged father Thomas Markle breaks his silence following the birth of his granddaughter Lilibet Diana

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
(Image credit: Alamy)

Meghan Markle's estranged father Thomas Markle has broken his silence following the birth of his granddaughter Lilibet Diana.

Meghan Markle's dad Thomas Markle has spoken out after hearing he has become a grandfather for the second time.

The estranged father, who hasn't spoken to his daughter Meghan since before her wedding to Prince Harry has sent his wishes to the Duchess of Sussex and his newborn baby granddaughter Lilibet Diana.

Thomas, 76, who is a former Hollywood lighting director, told the Daily Mail, "I am very pleased with the announcement of the safe and healthy delivery of my new granddaughter, and I wish her and her mother all my love and best wishes."

Prince Harry and Meghan's relationship with her father became strained after he was caught setting up paparazzi photos in Mexico in the run-up to their royal wedding. Thomas had been set to walk his daughter down the aisle but in the days before the ceremony, he announced that he could no longer attend after suffering a heart attack.

Meghan Markle

As a result, Prince Charles stepped in to walk Meghan down the aisle.

In March of this year, Thomas said he regretted doing the staged photos that eventually led to the fallout and told ITV's Good Morning Britain, "I wish I hadn’t done the whole thing but here’s the other side… It’s like no one took any time to protect any member of our family."

But he continued to do interviews criticising Meghan and the royal family, which is believed to be the reason for their relationship still being strained. And his latest well wishes to his daughter appear to snub son-in-law Prince Harry. Thomas branding his son-in-law Harry 'snotty' and accused him of failing to properly support her when she was suicidal.

Meanwhile, the baby's name honours both Prince Harry's grandmother the Queen and his late mother Princess Diana as Lilibet was his grandmother's nickname and Diana is his mother's name.

Harry and Meghan's daughter was born on Friday, 4th June at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital in Santa Barbara, California at 11.40am and weighed 7lbs and 11oz, a spokesperson for the couple said.

And a statement issued by the couple themselves read, 'Thank you for your continued kindness and support during this very special time for our family," the couple wrote in a statement that accompanied the birth announcement on Sunday.

See more

The baby is "more than we could have ever imagined, and we remain grateful for the love and prayers we’ve felt from across the globe.'

When it comes to royal succession, the baby is currently the eighth in line to the British throne.

Princess Eugenie joined the royals sending love to the family, who also have son Archie, two.

Selina Maycock
Senior Family Writer

Selina is a Senior Family Writer for GoodtoKnow and has more than 16 years years of experience. She specialises in royal family news, including the latest activities of Prince George, Charlotte, Louis, Archie and Lilibet. She also covers the latest government, health and charity advice for families. Selina graduated from the University of Sheffield in 2006 with a degree in Journalism, and gained her NCTJ and NCE qualifications. During her career, she’s also written for Woman, Woman's Own, Woman&Home, and Woman's Weekly as well as Heat magazine, Bang Showbiz - and the Scunthorpe Telegraph. When she's not covering family news, you can find her exploring new countryside walking routes, catching up with friends over good food, or making memories (including award-winning scarecrows!)