Meghan Markle's dad set for bumper birthday present after fundraiser reaches new milestone

The long-time Meghan critic called on members of the public to “show him solidarity and give him the acknowledgement he should be getting”, with the Duchess of Sussex's father having been estranged from his daughter since 2018, despite the 80-year-old saying he's made multiple attempts to reach out.

Lady C wrote on the GoFundMe page: “Many people have suggested that I spearhead this fundraiser to meaningfully note Thomas Markle Sr’s 80th birthday.

“He has been exceedingly generous with his time and money over the years, as I have learnt from the teachers at his daughter’s school, who could not sing his praises highly enough.”

She continued: “His kindness and generosity are well known in the film community, and I agree that now that he has been rejected and abandoned by the daughter, those of us who wish to show him solidarity and give him the acknowledgement he should be getting from the actual recipient of his largesse, will hopefully, through our contributions, no matter how small, demonstrate to him that there are still people in the world with good hearts, good values, and good intentions.

“Hopefully our actions provide him with the comfort he deserves in more ways than one in his declining days.”

Ahead of his landmark birthday, Markle said that the person he wants to hear from most is his estranged daughter.

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“I’ve never been one for birthdays, but I know the one person I most want to hear from, Meghan, won’t be in touch,” he told the Mail on Sunday.

The father and daughter’s relationship began to buckle when he staged paparazzi photos before her wedding to Prince Harry.

He also suffered two heart attacks just before the ceremony, preventing him from walking his daughter down the aisle. He was replaced by the then-Prince Charles.

Meghan later told Oprah Winfrey that she could not “reconcile” his press “betrayal” ahead of her wedding.

Since then, Meghan and Harry have not communicated with Thomas, and he has never met his son-in-law or grandchildren, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.

“I would love to meet my grandchildren, but I would be happy with a photograph at this stage,” he said.

Well-wishers have sent messages of support alongside their hefty donations.

One donor wrote: “Thomas I am sending you so much love and support I share your pain, truly I do, my own daughters have abandoned me too when, like you, I was a devoted loving parent. It hurts like hell and I too fear I may die without seeing them again or meeting my grandchildren. What a dreadful thing this is. This painful injustice is so cruel. Lots of us can see the truth of your situation and send you love.”

Another added: “My father is gone from this earth and I wish I could give him a hug. I want to give it to you and just know that you have daughters around the world now. You are loved.”