MEGHAN’S DAD & MYSTERY BLONDE
With just 8 weeks to wedding, recluse aged 73 enjoys date with young mum
SLICE TIME Thomas Markle with his date at pizza restaurant
MEGHAN Markle’s reclusive dad gazes at the woman who has put a smile back on his face – during a date at a pizzeria.
As his daughter fine-tuned plans for her Royal wedding banquet, Thomas gave his guest a warm reception of his own at the restaurant near his home in Mexico.
His pals even say she could end up accompanying him as his plus one to the wedding in Windsor on May 19.
One said: “He has been enjoying the company of his friend and has had the smile put back on his face. And he’s been a complete gentleman.”
Ending months of solitude, Thomas picked up the woman and her daughter in his old red Ford Escape, driving them to a local mall.
The three of them headed to the Peter Piper Pizza restaurant, near the beach resort of Rosarito, where thousands of American university students were enjoying the spring break holiday.
BEAMING
Together they enjoyed pizza and soft drinks. And Thomas drank a Heineken beer before treating his date’s daughter to the restaurant’s amusement arcade.
For more than an hour, they played on the games, with Thomas winning several toys for the youngster, as well as picking up the £20 dinner bill.
As they left the £5-a-head buffet restaurant, his companion and her daughter were beaming as they carried out their prizes.
And Meghan’s father, who fled to Mexico after being declared bankrupt, laughed and joked with his blonde friend after dinner.
Pals of the award-winning lighting director kept quiet about the woman’s identity but all said she had brought joy into his life.
One said: “Over the years Thomas has had a difficult time after having been made bankrupt and not finding love again. He withdrew from his life as one of American TV’s most gifted lighting directors, becoming a recluse as he turned his back on Los Angeles and showbiz. “But now, after slowly getting back on his feet, this woman has put a smile on his face. And he is very kind to her daughter.” On Thursday 600 invitations were sent from Buckingham Palace for the wedding, 5,500 miles away. As he waits for his invite to the ceremony at St George’s Chapel, Windsor, friends say Mr Markle still hopes to walk his actress daughter down the aisle.
And reports that a chronic limp would prevent him from travelling to the UK seemed exaggerated on Thursday, as he carried his date’s bag.
In December he broke his silence to the Mirror saying he would “love” to give his daughter away.
The friend added: “Tom is exceptionally proud of Meghan. He has made no secret he would like to walk Meghan down the aisle. There is nothing he would like more.”
Mr Markle’s new found friendship ends months of self-imposed exile when he did not mix with other expats. Instead the 73-year-old would spend his days in his Pacific oceanfront home, watching TV.
Prince Harry has yet to meet Mr Markle. He asked him for permission to marry Meghan over the phone.
Thomas’s pal said Mr Markle was not aware of suggestions that he might not be invited to the wedding or even that Prince William might give Meghan away at the altar.
Since news of the wedding, Thomas has kept himself to himself, changing his mobile number and avoiding social media. A handful of trusted friends have kept his location secret.
But, since meeting the new woman in his life, pals say he is getting out more, even visiting the US.