Thomas Markle Safe in Cebu After 6.9 Quake, Denies Daughter’s Claim
THOMAS MARKLE SR. – The 81-year-old father of Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle and father-in-law of Prince Harry denied reports that he was trapped in his apartment during the 6.9-magnitude earthquake that struck Northern Cebu on September 30, 2025.
Thomas, who has been living in Cebu since May 2025, told TMZ that he was safe and far from danger. He explained that he was about 100 miles away from the quake’s epicenter. “I’m currently sitting on the couch in my hotel room, with my feet up and watching Charlie Chan movies. I’m quite comfortable,” he said.
The confusion began when his daughter, Samantha Markle, posted on X (formerly Twitter) claiming her father was stuck on the 19th floor of a building and unable to walk down. In her post, she angrily blamed Meghan, calling her an “evil sister” who left their father in that situation. She also criticized Prince Harry and Meghan again, saying her father gave Meghan everything but was abandoned in return.
Thomas Sr., however, denied Samantha’s claims, saying he had not spoken to her for a long time and did not know where her story came from.
Samantha, upset by coverage from TMZ and the Daily Mail, defended herself by posting screenshots of messages she claimed were from her father and his companion in Cebu. In one message, Thomas supposedly wrote, “I am trapped on 19th floor all my savings are.” His companion also allegedly said, “We can’t get out of the building. He can’t walk 19 floors.” Samantha replied that she was frustrated with her brother, Thomas Jr., who also lives in Cebu, for not ensuring their father had safety equipment such as a portable wheelchair.
She also criticized the building’s safety, pointing out that stricter earthquake codes in the Philippines were only implemented this year.