Despite this gesture, Meghan has not travelled to see him in hospital. She has also reportedly avoided speaking to him by phone, amid concerns that hospital staff might overhear their conversation, according to The Times.
‘Trust and Reassurance’ Needed
Royal commentator Jennie Bond has suggested that Meghan would need significant guarantees before agreeing to any reconciliation.
“As I have often said, families are complicated,” Bond told The Mirror.
“None of us truly knows what has gone on between Meghan and her father, but it is a very sad situation when a daughter cannot simply pick up the phone to her dad.
“She (Meghan) will also be wary because it seems that her father and brother are intent on giving their side of the story. So there would have to be a lot of trust and reassurance before any meeting.”
Tensions With Half-Siblings
Meghan is also estranged from her paternal half-siblings, Thomas Markle Jr, 59, and Samantha Markle, 61, both of whom have publicly criticised her over the years.