The Duchess of Sussex’s estranged father recently had the procedure done in the Philippines

Meghan Markle, Thomas Markle.Credit : Leigh Vogel/Getty; BACKGRID

Meghan Markle reached out to her father, Thomas Markle, following his emergency leg amputation, PEOPLE understands, as a new report claims he has not heard from her.

The Duchess of Sussex, 44, emailed her father, 81, late Friday morning Pacific time after learning he had undergone the procedure. The outreach was not initially disclosed publicly in an effort to keep the matter private.

A spokesperson for Meghan said she “reached out” the same day she learned about the health ordeal surrounding her father, from whom she has been estranged since 2018, following his involvement in staging paparazzi photographs ahead of her wedding to Prince Harry.

However, The Mail on Sunday reported on Saturday, Dec. 6, that Thomas was “confused” by the statement and claimed he had not heard from Meghan.

Thomas Markle in March 2024.BACKGRID

PEOPLE understands that the email did not generate an error or bounce-back notification, and efforts to obtain updated contact information for Thomas are ongoing.

PEOPLE understands that efforts to reach Thomas have been complicated by the fact that he is not currently in possession of his phone, according to the journalist in contact with him, and the Duchess of Sussex does not have a working phone number for him.

Even if she did, reaching him directly would be difficult without access to the device, and leaving a voicemail has been considered irresponsible, given Prince Harry’s experience as a phone-hacking victim.

PEOPLE also understands that Meghan has personally called several hospitals in an effort to locate her father, but has not been able to confirm where he is being treated. Identifying the hospital would allow for a hand-delivered note, given that he does not have access to his phone.

PEOPLE further understands that Meghan’s team has sought clarification from those close to Thomas regarding the best method of contacting him as he recovers in intensive care in the Philippines.

A hospital source, who spoke with The Mail on Sunday, said, “If Meghan or anyone connected with her had called here, we would have known. … As far as we are aware, it didn’t happen.”

Thomas Markle, Meghan Markle.LionsShareNews / BACKGRID; Kristina Bumphrey/Variety via Getty

Speaking of his estrangement from Meghan, Thomas told The Mail on Sunday, “Of course I want to speak to her, but I am not sure if these are the right circumstances.”

“I’ve always said I am open to reconciling with my daughter. I have never stopped loving her. I don’t want to die estranged from Meghan. I want to meet my grandkids. It might be nice to meet her husband, too,” he continued, referring to Prince Harry, 41, and the couple’s two children: Prince Archie, 6, and Princess Lilibet, 4.

Thomas also said he hasn’t changed his phone number in the time he’s been estranged from the Duchess of Sussex, explaining that he has “always wanted Meg to be able to call me.”

Thomas and his son, Thomas Markle Jr., have not responded to PEOPLE’s requests for comment.