Meghan Markle’s engagement to Prince Harry ‘is making Dad a recluse’ — but he may still walk her down the aisle
MEGHAN Markle’s reclusive father is being driven into hiding by her romance with Prince Harry.
Former Hollywood lighting director Thomas Markle, 73, has not been seen in public since his daughter’s relationship was revealed to the world.
He slips between his rented homes in Los Angeles and in Rosarito Beach just over the Mexican border in a battered Volvo to avoid attention.
His son, Tom Jr, said: “Dad never liked the limelight but since the news came out about Meghan and Harry he’s become a total recluse. He hates the attention Meghan’s romance has brought on him.
“He loves her but hates the idea of being in the spotlight.”
The Emmy award-winner, who is bankrupt and divorced from Meghan’s mum, Doria, was given the 1998 Volvo saloon by his former diplomat brother, Michael, 78.
Michael said: “I had won a new car at a casino so he picked up my old Volvo before driving it back down to Rosarito.
“He figured that it’s less news if he keeps a low profile and I think the family agreed on that, too.”
In 2016 she wrote on Instagram: “Happy Father's Day, daddy.
"I'm still your buckaroo, and to this day your hugs are still the very best in the whole wide world.
How Harry and Meghan's romance blossomed
May - October 2016: 'Besotted' Harry meets his future princess
May 2, 2016 - It is not known exactly when Prince Harry first met the Suits actress but he travelled to Toronto, where Meghan Markle lives to launch the countdown to the Invictus Games. The pair are then believed to have been introduced through friends in London in July last year and started seeing eachother.
Oct 30, 2016 - News of their relationship broke and the prince was described as 'besotted' with the actress. A source described Harry as "happier than he's been for many years".
November 2016 - January 2017: Protective prince defends new love
Nov 8, 2016 - In an unprecedented statement, Harry attacked the media over its "abuse and harassment" of his girlfriend. He claimed Meghan had experienced racism and sexism and even attempts by members of the press to get into her home.
Nov 11, 2016 - Three days later Ms Markle was spotted in London amid unconfirmed reports she was stay at Kensington Palace for the first time.
Dec 6, 2016 - Harry flew straight from his Caribbean tour to Toronto to be with Ms Markle, making a 1,700-mile (2,736 km) detour instead of flying to London.
Dec 13, 2016 - The couple were buying a Christmas tree together in Battersea Park. The tree seller described the pair as "totally happy, cute, couple-y - but not overly mushy and gross".
February 2017 - June 2017: First public kiss and meeting the family
Feb 2, 2017 - Harry and Meghan were spotted holding hands on a date night in London amid claims she had "virtually moved in" with the prince at his two-bedroom bachelor pad Nottingham Cottage at Kensington Palace.
May 7, 2017 - The couple were photographed kissing in public for the first time at Cowarth Park polo club in Ascot, Berkshire, and just days later she joined Harry at Pippa Middleton's wedding reception.
July 2017 - November 2017: Wedding rumours and engagement announced
July 8 - Meghan was reported to have been spotted trying on wedding dresses, sending rumours of an impending engagement into overdrive.
Sep 5 - Ms Markle graced the cover of US magazine Vanity Fair and spoke openly about Harry for the first time, revealing: ''We're two people who are really happy and in love.''
Sep 25, 2017 - Just days later they appeared hand-in hand at their first official public appearance together at Invictus's wheelchair tennis.
Nov 27, 2017 - After weeks of speculation, Clarence House announced the engagement, and the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh say they are "delighted for the couple and wish them every happiness."
“Thanks for my work ethic, my love of Busby Berkeley films & club sandwiches, for teaching me the importance of handwritten thank you notes, and for giving me that signature Markle nose.
“I love you xo –Bean.”
Thomas is said to want to walk Meghan down the aisle next year.