King Charles III is confronting a family divide that has now stretched into its seventh year. The rift, rooted in the fallout surrounding Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s 2018 wedding, remains unresolved as tensions over Meghan’s estrangement from her father, Thomas Markle, continue to block reconciliation.
Public interviews, memoir disclosures, and ongoing silence between households have kept the conflict alive.
With recent health concerns placing new pressure on the monarchy, questions are resurfacing about whether this stalemate can realistically be broken—or if it has hardened for good. But the next chapter of this divide may be approaching faster than expected.
Escalating Tensions
Ongoing family discord places immense pressure on King Charles, who manages a fractured dynasty amid global scrutiny.
Royal author Tom Bower frames the Sussex saga as rooted in a pivotal 2018 dispute over Meghan’s refusal to visit her father. Public fascination persists, but reconciliation remains elusive. How deep do the divisions run?
Wedding Shadows
The saga began at Prince Harry and Meghan’s 2018 wedding, when her father, Thomas Markle, skipped the event due to health issues and paparazzi scandals involving staged photographs.
King Charles walked Meghan down the aisle—a rare instance of royal intervention—setting the stage for tensions to follow.
This moment marked the beginning of a family breakdown that would span years. What triggered the lasting impasse?
Family Fault Lines
Tensions intensified as Meghan’s relationship with Thomas deteriorated, coinciding with the Sussexes’ tensions with the palace.
The 2018 wedding fallout marked the start of a seven-year estrangement between Meghan and her father.
By 2020, Harry and Meghan stepped back as senior royals, citing institutional strains and media intrusion. The multi-year divide now spans seven years, with no resolution in sight. What pivotal moment escalated the crisis?
Rebuke Revealed
Royal biographer Tom Bower reveals the core flashpoint: around the time of the 2018 wedding, King Charles and Queen Elizabeth II urged Meghan to visit her estranged father, Thomas, in the U.S. via a conference call.
She refused, arguing that a visit would do more harm than good. Charles pressed Harry on the matter, asking him directly: ‘Can’t she just go and see him and make this stop?’ This exchange left both the Queen and Charles astonished at Meghan’s refusal.
Bower reports that Charles and the late Queen were “astonished” at Meghan’s refusal. This standoff ignited the enduring rift.
Monarchy Impacts
The impasse strains the monarchy’s image, diverting focus from King Charles’s reign to family feuds. Public opinion remains divided on the Sussexes, with polls showing mixed support following their departure in 2020.
Charles navigates ongoing duties while managing family fallout. Does this rift undermine royal unity during a period of institutional transition?
Father’s Silence
Thomas Markle has endured seven years of estrangement with Meghan since 2018, compounded by a 2022 stroke and an emergency leg amputation in December 2025 due to a blood clot.
He has publicly pleaded for reconciliation, citing the lack of contact with his daughter and son-in-law. Health declines add urgency to the stalemate, yet silence persists. Can illness mend the bond?
Biographer Insights
Tom Bower, author of critical Sussex biographies, portrays the 2018 conference call as a turning point, highlighting Meghan’s resistance to royal advice and her father’s escalating public statements.
Bower emphasizes King Charles’s frustration and the Queen’s astonishment at her refusal. Palace sources echo ongoing estrangement.
Commentators note the unprecedented nature of a reigning monarch and late queen directly intervening in a family member’s personal dispute.
Public Drama Trend
The rift fuels tabloid coverage, with Thomas Markle’s ongoing media statements and Harry’s 2023 memoir intensifying scrutiny.
Royal commentators highlight the institutional strain caused by the years-long feud.
Global audiences closely follow every development, while the Sussexes’ public brand continues to face pressure amid their family estrangement. What patterns emerge from seven years of documented conflict?
Charity Restructuring
Archewell faces staff reductions and donor pressures amid a rebrand to Archewell Philanthropies, with the foundation reporting $5.1 million in expenses against $2.1 million in donations in 2024.
Three staff members were let go in December 2025, including Kristin Slevin, Director of Programs and Operations.
Insiders cite operational restructuring as necessary amid funding challenges. The charity’s trajectory reflects broader pressures on the Sussex brand.
Internal Conflicts
Palace insiders express frustration over the unresolved tensions between Sussex following the revelations in Harry’s 2023 memoir.
Charles grapples with the fallout from public criticisms while prioritizing royal duties.
Family gatherings continue to exclude the couple, deepening the institutional divide. Stakeholders question whether the prolonged rift damages the monarchy’s stability and public perception.
Reign Transitions
Charles ascended to the throne in 2022 following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, inheriting a family structure marked by significant rifts.
His leadership has focused on modernizing the monarchy while managing institutional challenges.
The Sussex exit marked an early challenge to his reign, forcing strategic recalibrations. How has kingship altered his approach to family crisis management?
Attempts to Reach Out
Meghan reached out to her father via email on December 5, 2025, following his hospitalization, with a hand-delivered letter, which was confirmed as delivered by December 10.
Thomas initially expressed confusion on December 6 about receiving the email, citing a lack of phone access and unclear contact methods. The subsequent letter delivery resolved questions about Meghan’s outreach attempts.”
Expert Doubts
Experts doubt a quick resolution, citing seven years of documented conflict rooted in trust breaches and media disputes. Tom Bower and royal commentators predict entrenched positions on both sides.
The family’s public disagreements suggest fundamental disagreements about privacy, media management, and filial obligation remain unresolved. Can time or a health crisis shift established patterns?
By mid-December, Thomas publicly stated: ‘I’ve always said I am open to reconciling with my daughter. I have never stopped loving her. I don’t want to die estranged from Meghan.’
However, later reports suggest the gesture may not have shifted Meghan’s position. By late December, sources claim Meghan has privately decided she will not see her father in person. Fox News experts reported on December 15 that there is ‘little hope’ for a meeting or even a phone call, citing deep trust breaches as insurmountable obstacles. The letter appears to have closed rather than opened dialogue.
Path Forward?
As Thomas Markle’s health deteriorates and Charles navigates his reign amid ongoing institutional pressures, the seven-year rift is poised to reach a critical juncture.
His December 2025 amputation introduces medical urgency to the stalemate, yet conflicting accounts of contact suggest fundamental communication breakdowns persist.
Will this health crisis break through years of estrangement—or has the opportunity for reconciliation already passed? Recent developments suggest the latter may be increasingly likely.
Sources:
Tom Bower ‘Revenge: Meghan, Harry and the War between the Windsors’ (2022)
BBC News royal family coverage (2018-2025)
Royal.uk official royal family records
People Magazine December 2025
Cosmopolitan December 2025
Parade Magazine December 2025