Watch: Meghan Markle's Father Plans to Petition Court to See His GrandkidsMeghan Markle's half-sister is detailing their father's current predicament. After a 6.9-magnatude earthquake struck the Philippines Sept. 30, the Duchess of Sussex's sister Samantha Markle alleged Thomas Markle Sr., who has been living in the country in recent months, has been left trapped in an apartment. "my father is stuck on the 19th floor of a building in the Philippines after a massive earthquake," she posted to X Sept. 30, "and he can't walk and he is trapped." The earthquake, the worst to hit the Philippines in over a decade, struck the central province of Cebu, leaving at least 60 people dead, per NBC News. The 60-year-old also took aim at Meghan-from whom she's been estranged for years-and blamed her for their father's predicament. "Shame on my disgusting evil f--king sister forever putting our father in this position," she added. "I hope she is cursed." E! News has reached out to Meghan for comment and has yet to hear back. Samantha later provided a more encouraging update on their father's safety the morning after the earthquake.readIs Prince Harry Planning to Send His, Meghan Markle's Son Archie to Eton College? The Truth"I wish to extend our deep gratitude to everyone expressing concern about my father," she posted to X Oct. 1. "As of today he is OK, and making plans to get out of that building." "They seem to be safe for now, and hopefully there will be no serious aftershocks," she went on. "Provisions are being made so that he won't be trapped in a similar situation again."YouTubeSamantha's updates come after her father revealed that he was moving from his longtime home in Mexico to the Philippines with his son Thomas Markle Jr. earlier this year in search of a "fresh start" after the "awful drama of recent years." "I am ready for a change," he told The Daily Mail back in January. "I have felt stuck in a rut for some time and I am ready to meet new people and experience kindness."JAKE ROSENBERG/NETFLIXMeanwhile, Samantha-whose defamation lawsuit against Meghan was dismissed back in 2023-has long been critical of the Duchess of Sussex for her perceived mistreatment of their father. "She doesn't have a heart, or she would have been doing everything she could to make him comfortable and reciprocate and be loving and gracious and make sure he's comfortable in his old age," she said of Meghan in a 2019 documentary. "So, broken heart? No, his heart's broken. She can't turn herself into the victim here."Keep reading for more updates on Meghan and the royal family... (E! and NBC News are both part of the NBCUniversal family.)Dave J Hogan/Getty ImagesSarah Ferguson dropped from charity for Epstein emailIn September 2025, the Duchess of York was dropped as a patron to Julia's House for a resurfaced 2011 email to Jeffrey Epstein in which she called him a friend. "Following the information shared this weekend on the Duchess of York's correspondence with Jeffrey Epstein, Julia's House has taken the decision that it would be inappropriate for her to continue as a patron of the charity," the charity wrote in a statement per The Guardian. "We have advised the Duchess of York of this decision and thank her for her past support." A spokesperson for Ferguson said the virtual correspondence was written after a threat made to her by Epstein. Ben Montgomery/Getty ImagesPrince Harry and King Charles III ReuniteFor the first time in 19 months, the Duke of Sussex was seen arriving by car to Clarence House-the King's London residence-to seemingly meet with his father before heading to another engagement in the city. While Harry pulled into the residence around 5:20 p.m. local time on Sept. 10, Charles returned to the home just hours before.
Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty ImagesPeter Phillips Announces EngagementThe son of Princess Anne and her ex-husband Mark Phillips shared that he was engaged to his girlfriend Harriet Sperling on Aug. 1 after more than a year of dating. "Both families were informed jointly of the announcement," the couple's spokesperson said in a statement to Hello! at the time, "and were delighted with the wonderful news of their engagement."Finnbarr Webster/Getty ImagesQueen Camilla Makes History with New Royal TitleOne day before her 78th birthday, the royal received the title of Vice Admiral of the United Kingdom from the Royal Navy. Camilla is the first woman to hold the honorary title, which can only be appointed by the sovereignin this case, her husband King Charles III-on the nomination of the First Sea Lord, who is currently Sir Gwyn Jenkins.
Chris Jackson/Getty ImagesKate Middleton Pulls Out of Royal AscotThe Princess of Wales pulled out of a planned appearance at the Royal Ascot hours before she was set to return to the annual horse race alongside, Kensington Palace confirmed to NBC News. According to the palace, Kate was disappointed to have to miss the event but is still figuring out the right balance for herself