Lady Colin Campbell has launched a fundraiser to mark the 80th birthday of Thomas Markle, the estranged father of the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle

Meghan Markle has been slammed for ‘rejecting and abandoning’ her father, Thomas Markle, who recently turned 80 (Image: Getty)

Lady Colin Campbell has blasted Meghan Markle while marking the birthday of the Duchess’s estranged father, Thomas Markle, by creating a fundraiser. Thomas, who has been out of touch with Meghan since 2018, celebrated his 80th birthday on July 18.

In her fundraiser description, Lady Colin alleged that Meghan had “rejected and abandoned” Thomas. On the fundraiser, named ‘Lady C celebrating Thomas Markle Sr’s 80th birthday’, she wrote: “Many people have suggested that I spearhead this fundraiser to meaningfully note Thomas Markle Sr’s 80th birthday.

“He has been exceedingly generous with his time and money over the years, as I have learnt from the teachers at his daughter’s school, who could not sing his praises highly enough,” reports the Express.

She continued: “His kindness and generosity are well known in the film community, and I agree that now that he has been rejected and abandoned by the daughter, those of us who wish to show him solidarity and give him the acknowledgment he should be getting from the actual recipient of his largesse, will hopefully, through our contributions, no matter how small, demonstrate to him that there are still people in the world with good hearts, good values, and good intentions. Hopefully, our actions provide him with the comfort he deserves in more ways than one in his declining days.”

As of 10 am BST on July 23, the raised amount stands at £2,692, with 115 people having already made a donation. Despite Thomas residing in the US, Lady Colin has set a fundraising goal of £10,000.

The relationship between Thomas and his youngest daughter became strained when he posed for paparazzi photos shortly before her wedding to Prince Harry in 2018. Thomas also suffered two heart attacks prior to the wedding day, which prevented him from traveling to the UK to attend his daughter’s wedding. Her mother Doria Ragland was the only family member present at the Windsor ceremony.

His absence at Meghan’s wedding also meant that he was unable to walk her down the aisle. This honor was later carried out by the now-King Charles. The retired lighting director has not spoken to Meghan in six years. His absence in her life also means he has never met his grandchildren, Prince Archie, 5, and Princess Lilibet, 3.

He also previously disclosed that he has never met his son-in-law, Harry.