The Markle family is once again the focus of headlines after a series of cross statements during a moment of emergency. In the midst of the chaos experienced in the Philippines due to an earthquake that left more than 70 dead, Meghan Markle's sister sent a worrying message.
Social media were the stage where Samantha Markle shared her most recent message, causing concern among media outlets and followers. The news gained relevance due to Thomas Markle's fragile health, as he has been away from the public eye for some time. Meghan, meanwhile, hasn't made any statements, keeping herself out of the conflict.
A distant father and a divided family
Thomas Markle has been estranged from his youngest daughter for years, with whom he has barely kept in touch since her wedding to Prince Harry in 2018. The relationship was completely broken when he admitted to having collaborated with the press before the royal wedding. That caused a definitive rupture and a long chain of public reproaches between father and daughter.
Since then, Meghan's father has given interviews in which he has criticized the duchess and her family decisions. On several occasions, he has stated that he feels rejected and hurt for not being part of his grandchildren's lives. He also hasn't met Prince Harry in person, having only had phone contact with him.
Samantha Markle, daughter from Thomas's first marriage, has taken on the role of unofficial spokesperson in this conflict. She has also been critical of Meghan, accusing her of creating a new public image for herself. She even sued her for defamation, although the U.S. justice system dismissed the case for lack of evidence.
The earthquake in the Philippines and Samantha's words
The earthquake that struck northern Cebu last weekend has left more than 70 fatalities and thousands of displaced people. Among the affected residents is Thomas Markle, who moved to the Philippines at the beginning of 2025 seeking a quieter life. His daughter Samantha was the first to claim that he was trapped in his apartment.
"He's on the 19th floor and can't walk, he's trapped in the Philippines," she wrote in a message that went viral within hours. Concern for the duchess's father's condition multiplied, especially due to his medical history. Samantha's words were interpreted as an indirect attack on Meghan, whom she accuses of indifference.
The media impact was immediate, and several international outlets began to investigate the real situation. Alarms were quickly raised, although there was no official confirmation. Faced with the avalanche of rumors, Thomas himself spoke out to clarify his health and safety status.
Thomas clarifies his situation and seeks peace
Hours after his daughter's message, Thomas Markle gave a brief statement in which he downplayed the seriousness of what had happened. "Please, don't worry about me, everything is fine," he said, denying that he had been trapped. He indicated that he was in his room and that the earthquake's epicenter hadn't directly affected his area.
The portal TMZ confirmed that he was in a safe building and that he hadn't suffered any injuries or physical impairments. They also reported that the epicenter was more than 100 mi. (160 km) from where he currently lives. His move to the Philippines was a personal decision to get away from the media spotlight.
In previous statements, Thomas explained that he wanted to spend his final years in peace, surrounded by kind people. "I want the time I have left to be peaceful," he said months ago. His intention was to leave behind years of scandals and tensions, something that, for now, still hasn't been fully achieved.