For as long as Meghan Markle has been involved with Prince Harry, there's been only one thing standing in her way of being pretty much the perfect royal: her family. While her mother, Doria Ragland, seems to have done her best to stay out of the press, her father, half-brother, and half-sister have done pretty much the opposite.

Most of the drama kicked off when it transpired that Thomas Markle Jr., Meghan's brother, had a criminal record. This was then compounded by criticism from Samantha Markle, Meghan's sister, who has given several interviews since her sister married into the royal family - and topped off by Thomas Markle Sr.'s absence from his daughter's wedding.

Now, however, three months after Meghan and Harry officially tied the knot, Thomas has begged for a "final chance" to patch things up with the Duchess of Sussex.

According to sources close to Meghan's father, Thomas is planning a visit for himself and his daughter to the US west coast, during which time he wants to apologise for his recent past behaviour.

"I want to hold her in my arms one more time and tell her I’ll always love her," Thomas reportedly said to a friend.

The anonymous confidante gave an interview to the Express in which he explained what Meghan's father had said.

"First, he intends to apologise to them both, face to face, for some of the ill-considered things he has said and done," the friend said.

"Then, more than anything, he wants to hug his daughter and tell her how very proud he is of her and how much he loves her.

"He wanted so much to walk her down the aisle and give her away on her magical big day and he’s always going to be bitterly upset and frustrated that instead he had to stay in bed following heart surgery.

"He hates that the world perceives him and some of Meghan’s other relatives as ‘trailer trash’ folk trying to cash in on her happiness. But all he really cares about is letting her know how much he loves her and reopening the door that has slammed shut between them."

Thomas' friend went on to say that Thomas hopes his daughter or son-in-law will reach out to him directly or via a member of staff in order to arrange a private meeting with him on their next trip to the USA.

The Duchess' father is now 74 years old, and apparently worries that he won't have many years left to be "happy and peaceful" with his daughter.

It is unclear exactly when Meghan and Harry will be making a trip to America, but it is believed that they may stop off in the former actress' homeland after a trip around Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga in October.

Besides, while Thomas Sr. is apparently keen to patch things up with his daughter, it seems that Thomas Jr. and Samantha have little interest in repairing their relationship with their sister. Perhaps a step in the right direction for Meghan and her father will bring the whole family back together - but we'll have to wait and see.

For as long as Meghan Markle has been involved with Prince Harry, there's been only one thing standing in her way of being pretty much the perfect royal: her family. While her mother, Doria Ragland, seems to have done her best to stay out of the press, her father, half-brother, and half-sister have done pretty much the opposite.

Most of the drama kicked off when it transpired that Thomas Markle Jr., Meghan's brother, had a criminal record. This was then compounded by criticism from Samantha Markle, Meghan's sister, who has given several interviews since her sister married into the royal family - and topped off by Thomas Markle Sr.'s absence from his daughter's wedding.

Now, however, three months after Meghan and Harry officially tied the knot, Thomas has begged for a "final chance" to patch things up with the Duchess of Sussex.

According to sources close to Meghan's father, Thomas is planning a visit for himself and his daughter to the US west coast, during which time he wants to apologise for his recent past behaviour.

"I want to hold her in my arms one more time and tell her I’ll always love her," Thomas reportedly said to a friend.

The anonymous confidante gave an interview to the Express in which he explained what Meghan's father had said.

"First, he intends to apologise to them both, face to face, for some of the ill-considered things he has said and done," the friend said.

"Then, more than anything, he wants to hug his daughter and tell her how very proud he is of her and how much he loves her.

"He wanted so much to walk her down the aisle and give her away on her magical big day and he’s always going to be bitterly upset and frustrated that instead he had to stay in bed following heart surgery.

"He hates that the world perceives him and some of Meghan’s other relatives as ‘trailer trash’ folk trying to cash in on her happiness. But all he really cares about is letting her know how much he loves her and reopening the door that has slammed shut between them."

Thomas' friend went on to say that Thomas hopes his daughter or son-in-law will reach out to him directly or via a member of staff in order to arrange a private meeting with him on their next trip to the USA.

The Duchess' father is now 74 years old, and apparently worries that he won't have many years left to be "happy and peaceful" with his daughter.

It is unclear exactly when Meghan and Harry will be making a trip to America, but it is believed that they may stop off in the former actress' homeland after a trip around Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga in October.

Besides, while Thomas Sr. is apparently keen to patch things up with his daughter, it seems that Thomas Jr. and Samantha have little interest in repairing their relationship with their sister. Perhaps a step in the right direction for Meghan and her father will bring the whole family back together - but we'll have to wait and see.