Meghan Markle shares poem about 'missing your parents', sparking speculation about estranged dad Thomas
LONDON, UK: Meghan Markle, 43, appeared to subtly acknowledge the sadness surrounding her estranged relationship with her father, Thomas Markle, during a heartfelt moment at a charity carol concert in London.
The Duchess of Sussex selected Maya Angelou's reflective poem 'I've Learned to be Read' at the Smart Works fundraising event held at St Marylebone Parish Church, as reported by The Daily Mail.
Meghan Markle shares poem about parental loss
The piece, laden with themes of family and loss, included the particularly resonant line, "I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life."
The message struck a chord with attendees and observers, particularly as Meghan’s relationship with her father remains fractured.
Meghan has not spoken to Thomas Markle, 80, since 2018, following a series of public controversies, including his staged paparazzi photos ahead of her royal wedding and his subsequent absence from it due to a heart attack.
"I've had a good life and I am proud of what I've accomplished, but everything has been overshadowed by what has happened in the last six years," Thomas told The Daily Mail earlier this year.
Thomas has also never met his grandchildren, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, despite living relatively close to the Sussexes' Montecito home.
In earlier years, Meghan had a notably close relationship with her father, whom she lived with full-time from the age of 11.
In a 2014 Father’s Day blog post on The Tig, she described him as "thoughtful, inspiring, and hardworking," recounting how he would wake early to straighten her hair and take her to dance classes despite his grueling work schedule as a lighting director.
Thomas Markle claims Meghan changed after finding fame
Thomas has publicly expressed sorrow over their estrangement. "The person she's become isn’t the girl I raised," he shared, attributing the change to Meghan's rise to fame during her 'Suits' days.
His home still features mementos of their shared past, including graduation photos and Emmy Awards memories.
Despite personal challenges, Meghan remains committed to her charitable work. As patron of Smart Works since 2019, she continues to support the organization, even after relocating to the United States. The charity helps unemployed women secure jobs through coaching and professional attire, with centres across the UK.
