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Thomas Markle has found peace and love in the Philippines (Image: Thomas Markle: My Story/Channel 5)

Meghan Markle’s dad said he feels ‘blessed’ after finding love with a much younger nurse who helped him recover from a life-threatening leg amputation.

Thomas Markle, 81, met Rio Canedo, 46, while she was working in a rehab center in Cebu in the Philippines last December. Following a serious blood clot that saw him spend four days in intensive care, doctors had no choice but to remove his left leg below the knee.

The nurse confessed that she had no idea who her partner was when she first met him – just that he had something of a reputation for being pretty “grumpy”. The retired Hollywood lighting director claims his daughter ghosted him after she married Prince Harry in 2018.

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Thomas with his daughter Meghan, who is now the Duchess of Sussex (Image: Netflix)

He recalled the “heartbreak” at being unable to walk Meghan down the aisle during wedding after two heart attacks. “After everything that happened, I never imagined being in this position. But it is what it is,” Thomas said.

Thomas, who has pneumonia, went on to tell The Mail on Sunday: “After enduring so many hardships, I’m so thankful to have met someone so kind and caring. She’s made such a difference in my life.” During his stay in rehab, Rio made sure he followed a strict no-sugar diet and encouraged him to drink more water.

“Even though I’m battling pneumonia, I don’t feel sorry for myself. I’m in good hands with Rio. She takes such great care of me. I live in a place where kindness is the norm,” he said.

Rio went on to describe Thomas as a “complete gentleman, very kind and humorous,” as well as being easy to get along with. Although his life is now filled with peace, it wasn’t always so.

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Thomas said that Meghan has cut ties with him

He has never met his royal grandchildren – six-year-old Archie and four-year-old Lilibet – and continues to mourn the strained relationship with Meghan. “I still don’t understand why she cut me off. I tried everything to reach out privately before going public, but it was like hitting a wall.”

But a move to the Philippines – where life is “simpler” – has helped ease his mind. He is now grateful for his health and to those that have showed him kindness since being there.

When asked whether or not he’d visit the wealthy area of Montecito in California, where Meghan and Harry live – he just laughed. “What’s the point? I love Meghan, she’s my daughter, but I’ve accepted that some things can’t be fixed. I want to focus on the happiness I’ve found with Rio.”

Despite being earlier days in the couple’s relationship, Thomas hasn’t ruled out marriage, though it hasn’t been discussed yet. “For now, we’re just happy enjoying life together. Every day with her feels like a blessing,” he said.

For now, he wants to show her the different places he worked at in Hollywood just as soon as his health improves. While he calls himself an “old man” who can’t believe he’s made it to his 80s and is content with treasuring every moment he has with Rio.