Thomas Markle Sr., the estranged father of Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, has plans to file a petition in the courts of California to allow him to see his grandchildren, Archie Harrison, 2, and one-month-old Lilibet Diana.
The 77-year-old former Hollywood lighting director has never met the children because he has been estranged from Meghan since she married Prince Harry in 2018. In March 2021, Thomas said he regretted staging a paparazzi shoot before the wedding, which sparked his issues with his daughter.
Speaking with Fox News, Thomas revealed that he would ask the court to grant him access to his grandkids "in the very near future." Thomas is frustrated that he has been treated as an outcast by his daughter and her husband. The source also said that Thomas and Meghan were close before she got married, and he feels it has been unfair on his part to be painted in the media as a "money-grabbing bum."
Thomas has been living in Mexico since he retired from Hollywood. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are staying in Montecito, California, a half-day drive to Meghan's father.
No Chance of Winning
However, celebrity divorce lawyer Mark Gross believes that Thomas will not likely win his petition. Gross said that similar cases under California laws have ruled in favor of grandparents if they have a relationship with their grandchildren.
However, Thomas doesn't have any relationship with Archie and Lili, so there's no path for the court to take to allow him the right to see the kids.
Gross also believes that Thomas' TV interviews, where he speaks about his intention to visit his grandchildren, are self-serving and not in the best interest of the children. The lawyer said that judges will be concerned about Thomas' plans when he's going public about it.
Thomas told the media that he learned of Lili's birth last June 2021 from the news because his daughter never informed him. When Archie was born, Thomas got word of it through Doria Ragland, his ex-wife.
Ragland has been the only family member on Markle's side to have a relationship with the children. According to reports, Harry sees Ragland as a mother figure just like Queen Elizabeth. The Duke of Sussex is apparently drawn to his mother-in-law because she doesn't seek publicity and has always been discreet.
Meghan's Brother on Television
Meanwhile, Meghan's brother, Thomas Markle Jr., will be entering the Australian "Big Brother" house in the coming weeks. The 54-year-old window fitter from Oregon has been in quarantine in Sydney as he prepares to make his TV appearance in a couple of weeks.
Meghan is also estranged from her brother since Thomas Jr has a different mother and lives a separate life. However, Thomas Jr has also been talking about his sister to the press and used to describe the Duchess of Sussex as a "phony" and "conceited woman."
Viewers of "Big Brother" expect more bombshells about the duchess from her half-brother. However, a spokesperson for Channel Seven in Australia doesn't want to confirm if Thomas Jr. is indeed one of their contestants. The show's release date has not yet been announced as well.
