Meghan Markle has reached out to her father Thomas after he was forced to have life-saving surgery to amputate his leg.

Mr Markle, 81, who is estranged from his daughter, underwent a three-hour operation on Wednesday after a blood clot cut off circulation and the limb turned black.

A spokesperson for the Duchess of Sussex had previously declined to comment on reports, first published exclusively by the Daily Mail, that Meghan’s father was ill.

But in an updated statement this evening, they said: ‘I can confirm she [Meghan] has reached out to her father.’

No further details have been released, including whether or not Meghan’s attempt was successful.

It is understood that the Duchess of Sussex only found about about her father’s health battles when reading about it in the news.

She then instructed her aides to verify the claims, according to The Times newspaper.

Meghan has been estranged from her father since her wedding to Prince Harry in 2018 after he was caught staging paparazzi photos in the run up to the big day.

He later suffered two heart attacks and said his daughter was ‘furious’ with him.

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Meghan Markle has reached out to her father following his operation

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Thomas Markle underwent a three-hour operation on Wednesday to remove his left foot and lower leg after a blood clot cut off circulation and the limb turned black

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Thomas Markle pictured with his daughter, from whom he has been estranged since her 2018 marriage to Prince Harry

Mr Markle’s son Thomas Jr confirmed last night he had undergone an operation, saying last night: ‘My dad is being very brave.

‘His foot turned blue and then black. It happened very quickly.

‘I took him to a local hospital and they did some scans and an ultrasound and said the leg had to be amputated.’

Retired Hollywood lighting director Mr Markle was rushed via ambulance to a bigger hospital in Cebu in the Philippines – the city he moved to earlier this year in a bid to create a ‘new life’ away from what he called the ‘constant pain’ of his estrangement from Meghan.

Doctors immediately took him into surgery and removed the limb.

Tom Jr said: ‘There was no option. I was told the leg had to be removed and it was a case of life or death.’

Mr Markle now faces another procedure to remove a blood clot in his left thigh.

His son Tom Jr, who has been his primary caregiver, said doctors remain ‘extremely concerned’ for his father’s welfare.

Mr Markle remains in the intensive care unit in stable condition.

Tom Jr said: ‘One of his doctors said the next two or three days are critical. His left leg has been removed below the knee.

‘They were worried about infection setting in – sepsis or gangrene. The flesh was black and dying.

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The Duchess of Sussex, pictured in With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration, is estranged from Thomas and Prince Harry has never met him

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Thomas Markle Jr (pictured in 2018) told the Daily Mail his ‘brave’ father is now in a ‘stable condition’

‘There was no option given.

‘It was either ‘we have to operate now and remove the leg or he may die’.

‘It was a life-threatening situation.’

Mr Markle has never met his son-in-law Prince Harry or grandchildren Archie, six and four-year-old Lilibet.

He moved to the Philippines in January telling the Daily Mail: ‘I was constantly reminded of my estrangement from my daughter while I was in the US and Mexico.

‘I could not escape her and Harry who were always on TV with their shows, books and interviews.

‘So I moved to the other side of the world hoping for a quieter life.’

He added in an interview with the Mail on Sunday in September: ‘My only wish before I die is to meet my grandkids. I want them to know I love them and care for them.’

Mr Markle’s son said the family had been ‘deeply touched’ by the outpouring of love and support for his father from around the globe, particularly from the UK.

He said: ‘Dad has a long road ahead. This was a major operation but he needed it to save his life. I would ask everyone to keep him in their thoughts.

‘He is a brave and tough man. I would appeal to Meghan to show him compassion at this very difficult time.’

Daily Mail has contacted the Sussexes for further comment.