Meghan Markle's father Thomas heard about her pregnancy on the radio, say's he's 'filled with joy'
Meghan Markle's father Thomas Markle has spoken out for the first time since her pregnancy news was announced. Thomas said he is delighted and filled with love at the news and hopes to be able to play a role as a proud grandfather.
In an interview with 'The Mail on Sunday', Thomas said that he was listening to his favorite radio show — Red Eye Radio on KABC Talk Radio — when he heard the news. "Congratulations are in order for America’s favorite royals. Kensington Palace confirmed that Duchess Meghan and Prince Harry are expecting their first child in the spring"
He told The Mail on Sunday "I was sitting in line waiting to cross the border when I heard the baby announcement on the car radio. The first thing I thought about was holding Meghan in my arms as a newborn 37 years ago. I thought, “My baby is having a baby.” It was a very proud moment. I was filled with love, joy, and happiness for both my beautiful daughter and my son-in-law. A new baby is a blessing and I look forward to seeing a little Meghan or a little Harry".
A nostalgic Thomas also recalled the birth of Meghan and shared how she was born in the wee hours of August 4, 1981 in the Canoga Park hospital in the suburbs of Los Angeles.
"It was in the middle of the night when Meghan was born by cesarean section. Doria [Meghan’s mother] was sleeping [anesthetized] and so I was the first person in the world to hold Meghan," Thomas shared. "When they handed her to me and I held her in my arms for the first time it was love at first sight. She was the most beautiful baby. Meghan winked at me and I fell in love and have never stopped loving her from that day forward," he continued.
The Kensington Palace announced the happy news last week just after Harry and Meghan landed in Sydney for a 16-day tour of Australia, New Zealand, Tonga, and Fiji. A Kensington Palace announcement revealed Meghan's mother Doria Ragland was 'very happy' about her daughter's pregnancy, but Thomas was not mentioned.
"The Queen, Duke of Edinburgh, Prince of Wales, Duchess of Cornwall, and Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are delighted for the couple. Ms. Doria Ragland is very happy about the lovely news and she looks forward to welcoming her first grandchild," the statement said.
Thomas who has not yet met his son-in-law Harry added, "I don’t want anyone to feel sorry for me. Me not getting a call is most likely a misunderstanding about my two back-to-back heart attacks and me missing the wedding. There has been so much misinformation and lies that perhaps made them mistrust me."
He congratulated the happy couple and proudly said that his daughter would make a wonderful mother. "I wasn’t surprised by the baby announcement. Meghan loves children and she and Harry have been talking about wanting a family from the start. I’m delighted for them both. She’s always been wonderful with children and most of her friends have families so she’s used to being around kids. She will make a fantastic mother."
Thomas also shared how he was "full of pride" seeing how Meghan was handling her first overseas tour and said, "She’s doing so well winning the hearts and minds of everyone in Australia".
Meghan is believed to have not spoken to her father since before her wedding in May after he backed out at the last minute due to ill health.