Wednesday 25 May 2022 12:43 AM Thomas Markle hospitalised and unable to speak after stroke trends now
The Duchess of Sussex's father was in a US hospital last night after suffering a suspected major stroke.
Thomas Markle, 77, was struck down, losing his speech, a week before he had been due to fly to London for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
Last night it was not known whether Meghan, 40, who is estranged from him, was planning to go to his bedside.
Mr Markle, a former TV lighting director, was taken by ambulance to a clinic in Chula Vista, California – only a few hours' drive from Meghan and Harry's home in Montecito.
He had earlier been admitted to hospital in Tijuana, Mexico, where he was seen arriving with an oxygen mask on his face and flanked by paramedics. A video posted on US gossip website TMZ showed him on a stretcher with a pale face and one hand on his chest.
Mr Markle's daughter Samantha, 57, told MailOnline: 'My father is recovering in hospital. We ask for privacy for the family, for his health and wellbeing. He just needs peace and rest.
'Godspeed. We are praying. He just needs some rest.'
Days before he was due to fly to London for the first time for the Queen 's Platinum Jubilee, the Duchess of Sussex 's father Thomas Markle has suffered a major stroke that has seen him lose his speech
A high-profile American website has received information from within the hospital, meaning news of his stroke was about to break (pictured: Thomas Markle with Meghan)
Mr Markle has had a difficult relationship with Meghan (pictured together) and her husband Harry – whom he has accused of being 'snotty'
His blood pressure had been high in the preceding days, it was said. It means that Mr Markle will miss the celebrations in London just as he missed Meghan's wedding to Harry in 2018 after suffering a heart attack.
Mr Markle, who lives in Rosarito, Mexico, was taken by ambulance across the border to the US at around 9.30pm on Monday.
His son Thomas Jr, 55, was with him and is at the hospital near San Diego, while Samantha was last night said to be flying in from her home
