Experts explain why serious illness can deepen the emotional challenges between Meghan Markle and her estranged father
Meghan Markle’s long-standing estrangement from her father, Thomas Markle, has reportedly become even more complex following his recent health crisis, according to relationship experts.
Thomas Markle, 81, is said to have undergone leg amputation surgery after a series of serious medical problems. The update was shared publicly by his son, Thomas Markle Jr., bringing renewed attention to the fractured family dynamic.
Family counselling expert Dr Jane Halsall explained that situations like this are often emotionally taxing for adult children, particularly when a parent becomes seriously ill after years of distance. Speaking to The Mirror, she said these relationships tend to be layered with pain, unresolved issues and conflicting emotions.
According to Dr Halsall, adults in these circumstances often feel torn between concern for a parent’s wellbeing and the need to protect their own emotional boundaries. That internal conflict can trigger grief, guilt and uncertainty all at once.
She added that estrangement frequently stems from broken trust or repeated boundary issues, and public actions taken against an adult child’s wishes can heighten the strain even further.
Healing, she noted, is rarely quick. It requires time, resilience and, in many cases, therapeutic support. Respecting boundaries and communicating carefully are key, especially when balancing love, concern and self-preservation while safeguarding one’s own mental wellbeing.
