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Meghan Markle's Estranged Father Rescued from Philippines Earthquake
1 Oct
Summary
- Thomas Markle, Meghan's father, trapped on 19th floor after Philippines quake
- Daughter Samantha Markle confirms he is safe after initial concerns
- Meghan and Thomas have been estranged since her 2018 royal wedding
On September 30, 2025, a powerful 6.9-magnitude earthquake struck the Philippines, leaving many people trapped in their homes and buildings. Among them was Meghan Markle's estranged father, Thomas Markle, who was reportedly stuck on the 19th floor of an apartment building.
Meghan's half-sister, Samantha Markle, took to social media to express her concern, writing that Thomas "can't walk and he is trapped." However, a day later, Samantha confirmed that Thomas was safe and making plans to exit the building.
The Markle family has been estranged since Meghan's 2018 royal wedding to Prince Harry. Meghan had previously accused her father of staging paparazzi photos to boost his image, leading to a breakdown in their relationship. Thomas later claimed he suffered a heart attack and opted not to attend the wedding.
Despite the ongoing rift, Samantha expressed gratitude for the concern shown towards her father, stating that "provisions are being made so that he won't be trapped in a similar situation again." The earthquake in the Philippines has left a trail of destruction, with at least 60 people killed and many more trapped in the aftermath.
