MEGHAN DAD IN STROKE SCARE
He is rushed to hospital in US
Tom was unable to speak to medics, he was so out of breath
THE Duchess of Sussex’s estranged father has been taken to hospital suffering from a suspected stroke.
Thomas Markle Snr had been due to fly to the UK for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee next week. But on Monday night he began experiencing pains at home.
Paramedics were called to the address in Rosarito, Mexico, and he was taken away by ambulance with an oxygen mask in place at around 9.30pm.
He was driven across the US border to a hospital in Chula Vista, California.
Son Thomas Markle Jnr, 55, is now living near his father and was said to be already by his side in hospital.
Eldest daughter Samantha, 57, is flying from her home in Florida to be with him as soon as possible. A source said: “Tom was unable to speak to paramedics, he was so out of breath.
“He had to write down his symptoms on a piece of paper.”
Warning signs of the retired lighting director’s failing health emerged last week in a court document.
Mr Markle, 77, is currently pursuing litigation against the paparazzi company with which he famously faked pictures ahead of daughter Meghan’s wedding.
Last week staff at the Superior Court of California, where the case has been filed, had been due to hold a hearing involving the two parties.
But according to a court document filed on May 19 it was placed on hold, citing Mr Markle’s ill health.
The papers, obtained by the Mirror, read: “The court staff receives a phone a call from the plaintiff ’s son prior to the hearing stating plaintiff has suffered a medical emergency.”
It is unclear what the illness was but sources say that Mr Markle suffered his attack, after experiencing extreme tension.
Meghan, 40, has not spoken to her father since before her wedding to Prince Harry in May 2018.
The pensioner had been scheduled to walk her down the aisle but suffered a heart attack just weeks before the ceremony at Windsor Castle. He needed surgery and was not able to travel.
Weeks before his daughter’s wedding he was found to have staged photos for paparazzi in the US, which he had denied to Harry. Mr Markle later admitted that he had been paid for the photos, though his daughter Samantha told the press it was her idea as she wanted to show how her dad was “getting into shape” before attending the nuptials.
He was also due to give evidence on behalf of a Sunday newspaper against the Duchess after she sued over its publication of her private letter to him.
She ultimately won the case against the Mail on Sunday before a trial, so his testimony was not needed.
Later, Mr Markle vowed to take the Sussexes to court so he could meet his grandchildren, and even branded them bad parents to Archie and Lilibet.
LOCAL SOURCE ON MR MARKLE’S CONDITION