Meghan Markle’s dad, half-brother move to PH, live in Cebu apartment
Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, arrives for The Paley Center for Media gala honoring actor and director Tyler Perry, at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills on Dec. 4, 2024. Image: Etienne Laurent/AFP
Meghan Markle’s estranged father, Thomas Markle Sr., and her half-brother, Thomas Markle Jr, have reportedly moved to the Philippines and been living in an apartment in Cebu.
The 80-year-old mobility-impaired father and his son’s relocation was first disclosed by an unidentified source to British tabloid newspaper The Mirror, which then also released photos of the two walking in Cebu.
The two are reportedly renting an apartment that has a monthly cost of £500, or over P37,000.
“There are only two types of weather in Cebu: hot and humid, and hot and humid and raining. It’s brutal even for men half his age, but it’s still sad to see him looking as though he’s struggling,” the source was quoted as saying. “Thomas and his son only recently moved into the property and they are still finding their feet in Cebu after the big move abroad, but they’re here together and are firmly supporting each other.”
Meghan, a former Hollywood actress, is now the Duchess of Sussex after marrying Prince Harry, son of Britain’s King Charles III and the late Princess Diana, and younger brother to the heir apparent, Prince William.
Prior to her wedding in 2018, Meghan became estranged from her father after he supposedly sold paparazzi photos. Their estrangement reportedly escalated into him not attending her wedding at the Windsor Castle in the United Kingdom, and the British and Hollywood media feasted on the controversy involving the new royal. Nor was the elder Markle ever reported to have visited when the Sussexes moved to California with their two children.
A book and a documentary
Thomas Jr. has been caring for his dad, a former Hollywood lighting director, who suffered from two heart attacks and a stroke in the past years. Thomas Sr. has reportedly been struggling with his mobility and has been using a walking stick to help himself.
Thomas Jr. immediately confirmed this, even revealing that he spends some of his time in the country writing a book about the Duchess of Sussex‘s childhood.
“When my book is finished, ooh it’ll be swooped up real quick [because] it’s getting there. I’m working on it. It’s coming out,” he told The Mirror. “When the book gets read, the documentary will follow,” he added.
It can be recalled that Thomas Jr. slammed Meghan for the supposed “malarkey” stories in her series “With Love, Meghan” released in March. In the series, the Duchess of Sussex claimed her family struggled financially and that she was a “latchkey kid.”
“I’m not a greedy person, it’s not about the money, it’s about the principle,” Thomas Jr. stated. “Of course it would be nice to have a nice little cushion from selling a book, sure.”
“Everybody wants the book. I now have dedicated time. It’s not easy moving,” he added.
Thomas Sr. had revealed last January his plans of relocating to Southeast Asia, saying he had traveled there when he was younger. He also clarified that he is not running away but is “in search of a more positive life.”
“The people are so kind and welcoming, and they are respectful to older people,” he said. “It is a place of culture and beauty. At 80 it is time to go somewhere where the people are lovely and I can enjoy a quieter, friendlier existence.”
“Every day I see something about Meghan. I wish her no ill will. My dream is that one day I could bring my whole family together, like a ‘normal’ family,” he said. /ra/edv
