Thomas Markle has never met his grandchildren — but is “very sad” about their upbringing.
Meghan Markle’s estranged father recently told the Daily Mail that he feels Prince Archie, 5, and Princess Lilibet, 3, have been “denied the right to meet their cousins” in the royal family.
The 79-year-old added that Prince William and Kate Middleton’s three children — Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis, 6 — “seem like amazing young people.”
Thomas referred to this family connection, as well as an opportunity to “participate in issues like Trooping the Colour,” as his grandchildren’s “birthright.”
He famously said, “They’re getting to the age where they’ll start asking questions, as all children do. I find myself wondering how Archie and Lilibet will really feel in a few years when they understand all the things they’ve missed out on.”
The retired TV lighting director’s feedback came during the same interview, in which he compared himself to Prince Harry’s father, King Charles III.
“I would love to speak to him because I’m sure he has as many unanswered questions as I do,” Thomas said in June. “I have so many questions I would like to ask Meghan and Harry.
“The main one is: why did they treat not only me but the royal family and the king so badly?” he continued, adding that he felt “deep empathy” for the monarch, 75, amid his battle with cancer.
Thomas, however, considers himself “in the same boat”, as he is “not in the best health”.
Meghan, 42, has not had a relationship with her father for years as Thomas has never met Harry, 39, and has repeatedly criticised them in interviews.
Although the couple maintain a close bond with the former actress’ mother, Doria Ragland, their relationship with the royals has been strained since they left England in 2020.
Meghan and Harry have been slamming family members lately with an interview with Oprah Winfrey, a Netflix docuseries and a bombshell memoir.
Although Harry has visited their home over the years, his wife usually stays at their home in Montecito, California, with their young children.
The family of four missed Trooping the Colour last month for the second year in a row.
The occasion marked Middleton’s first royal appearance while battling cancer.
The Princess of Wales, who revealed her prognosis in March, was all smiles in a recycled white robe on the balcony of Buckingham Palace.
Hours before the big moment, Meghan unveiled her American Riviera Orchard brand’s jelly and dog biscuits, leaving many to claim the debut was an attempt to steal the spotlight from her sister-in-law.
Meghan and Harry issued a joint statement supporting Middleton amid her health scare and also reached out personally.
Opposite Archie and Lilibet are ‘missing’ in ‘Birthright’ first appeared on All celebrities.