Wednesday 25 May 2022 02:31 PM Meghan Markle's father Thomas Markle fell over while shopping days before ... trends now
The Duchess of Sussex's father Thomas Markle fell over while out shopping and had to be helped up to his feet just days before he was taken to hospital after suffering a suspected major stroke, it was revealed today.
Retired lighting director Mr Markle, 77, who lives in Rosarito, Mexico, was struck down and lost his speech only a week before he had been due to fly to London for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
It is not yet known whether Meghan, 40, who is estranged from him, will go to his bedside at a clinic in Chula Vista, California – only a few hours' drive from the home she shares with Prince Harry in Montecito.
And royal author Tom Bower revealed on ITV's Good Morning Britain today that he had spoken to Mr Markle over the weekend about his upcoming book about Meghan, and that he had fallen over - before the stroke happened.
Mr Bower said: 'He was alright, but he'd just fallen over in Rosarito, he'd been shopping and he told me that some other people had helped him stand up. But he is a man who's already had heart problems and he wasn't feeling too good. On the other hand, he was very excited about coming to London for the Jubilee.'
Mr Markle was taken by ambulance to the clinic in Chula Vista, but 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.
Thomas Markle had revealed to MailOnline's Dan Wootton on GB News last month that he wanted to visit Britain for the Jubilee
It is not known whether Meghan, who is estranged from her father Thomas Markle (together), is planning to go to his bedside
A video posted on US gossip website TMZ showed him on a stretcher with a pale face and one hand on his chest.
Mr Bower said he did not know whether Meghan would go and see her father, but added: 'What we do know is that Meghan has always said that she's a very compassionate person.
'And if compassion was at all necessary right now, it would mean that she would go to her father's bedside, about two and a half hours' drive south of where she lives, and give him some comfort and reassurance. And we wait to see what happens.'
Mr Bower also confirmed that Meghan has not made any contact with Mr Markle 'since just before the wedding - other than the famous letter'.
He continued: 'I've been in touch with him for my book, which comes out very soon now, for some time.
'And he is very upset, he's very unhappy because of course he was a very loving father to Meghan and supported her throughout her childhood when her mother wasn't there. And paid for her student fees too.
'He was very upset that he hasn't been able to see his grandchildren. So I do think to an extent he was going to come to London, although he told me that he was