Thomas Markle, the estranged father of Meghan Markle, has expressed his disappointment after his daughter and Prince Harry revealed their decision to step back as senior members of Britain’s royal family.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex made the surprising announcement on Wednesday, stating their intention to become financially independent’ and to ‘balance’ their time between the U.K. and North America.

Following their announcement, Meghan’s estranged father spoke out, telling Us Weekly: ‘I’ll just simply say I’m disappointed.’ However, the 74-year-old retired lighting director did not elaborate on the cause of his disappointment.

Thomas Markle and his daughter have been estranged for many years, with no contact even before her wedding to Prince Harry in 2018.

In an interview with the Daily Mail newspaper last year, Markle pleaded for reconciliation.

‘I would like them to send me a picture of Archie so I can frame it and put it on my wall beside the one of Meghan. Isn’t that what any grandfather would want? I’d love to know if he’s got the famous Markle nose,’ Markle said.

‘Sometimes I get the feeling people think I don’t love my daughter. I do love her very much. I would love nothing more than to put a picture of Archie in a frame and place it beside the one of Meghan.

‘There was never any problem between Meghan and me until recently. I’ve stayed quiet because Meghan was pregnant with Archie, but I’m speaking out now because they and their PR people are continuing to ghost me out of her life.

‘Of course, I’m disappointed not to see Archie. I had hoped becoming a mother would mellow Meghan and she would reach out.’