Meghan Markle faces major PR fallout after handling of father’s health crisis

Meghan Markle receives scathing criticism over reaction to father Thomas Markle’s surgery

By F. Qureshi
December 12, 2025
Meghan Markle faces major PR fallout after handling of father’s health crisis
Meghan Markle faces major PR fallout after handling of father’s health crisis

Meghan Markle is under fire after a critic labelled her handling of her father Thomas Markle’s health crisis a “public relations disaster.”

TalkTV host Mark Dolan argued that the Duchess of Sussex’s decision to send a letter to her dad after he had his left leg amputated due to some medical emergency instead of visiting or calling him has severely damaged her image.

Dolan criticised the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’ statement targeting the Daily Mail journalist who has been close to Thomas for years.

He said it unfairly attacked someone providing support to the 81-year-old, and claime that the situation has exposed a lack of empathy on Meghan’s part.

"This is an 81-year-old man,” Dolan said. “He’s lonely; he’s in a foreign country thousands of miles away. He’s got his son, Thomas Markle Jr, but he’s got major issues, too.”

“He’s got health problems, he’s broke, and he’s not been able to be at the hospital 24/7, so Caroline has filled the gap,” he continued. “And what is her reward? A subtle attack from the ruthless Sussex public relations machine, throwing shade at the Mail on Sunday for running this story.”

“And therefore, that is by definition an attack on Caroline Graham, who is really a dear friend of Thomas Markle."

He further shared how the whole situation is nothing but a "public relations disaster" for Meghan and Harry.

"This is a nightmare for Meghan, and it is a public relations disaster because she’s trying to rehabilitate herself in the world of Hollywood,” said Dolan.

“She’s got her ailing business empire, As Ever, which is basically a bit of honey and a couple of flower sprinkles. It’s turned into a bitter war of words, and all Thomas Markle gets from Meghan is one of her creepy calligraphy letters.

"When you’re dying, and your last hope is to meet your daughter, and you get some correspondence, I think that’s a real slap in the face.

“Given that Meghan knew Thomas Markle was fighting for his life, if that’s not a wakeup call, and you can’t jump on a plane or call him, then nothing will change. Meghan would have to have an entire personality transplant. She has to develop some empathy, of which she has shown precious little."