Meghan Markle’s father Thomas reveals sadness at not being invited to Archie’s christening

The father of the Duchess of Sussex has revealed his sadness at not being invited to Archie’s christening.

Thomas Markle, who has had a tumultuous relationship with his daughter Meghan, said he would have liked to have been at the event at Windsor Castle but wished his grandson “health and happiness”.

Doria Ragland, Meghan’s mother and his former wife, was pictured in an official photograph released by the royal couple.

Mr Markle said he has been a member if the Anglican Church – which he called the “Queen’s Church” – since he was a child.

The 74-year-old told the Mail on Sunday: “I have been asked if I would have liked to have gone to Britain to see my new grandson being christened.

“I was an altar boy at age 12, a confirmed member of the Queen’s church at age 14, and Archie is my new grandson, so of course I would have enjoyed being there for the blessing, wishing Archie and his parents health and happiness.”

The former Hollywood lighting director has reportedly not spoken to the Duchess of Sussex since just after the royal wedding last May, which he did not attend due to his health.

In February, friends of the Duchess revealed she wrote a letter to her estranged father telling him to stop victimising her so the pair could repair their relationship.

In an interview with People Magazine, friends of the royal said Mr Markle “knows how to get in touch with her” and has his daughter’s number but has not tried to mend their rift.

Her friends claimed the Duchess wrote to her father after she married Prince Harry to ask him to stop speaking to the media but that he replied asking for a photo opportunity.

Mr Markle has claimed he has made “dozens of attempts” to reach his daughter via texts and letters and even sent a handwritten note to her via Ms Ragland.