If Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's relationship has been the most heavily scrutinised ever, the former Suits actress' relationship with her father, Thomas Markle, comes in a close second.

Whether or not the retired television lighting engineer would come to their nuptials in St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle on May 19 was the subject of intense speculation in the days before the wedding, and media attention only escalated when Thomas gave a much-anticipated first TV interview to Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid on Good Morning Britain weeks later. But now, amid the media storm, Thomas' feelings about his connection to his daughter may have been finally made clear - and it's apparently bad news for the Duchess of Sussex's ailing father.

Thomas is said to be "heartbroken" at his growing estrangement from Meghan since she got married to Harry back in May. British newspaper The Mirror has reported that Markle senior fears they may not "ever be together again" and believes the royal couple are now "shot" of him.

He has allegedly told friends: "I haven't talked with Meghan and Harry in a long time ... I think they're shot of me now. I don't know if she'll visit. I told her not to come and visit when I was in hospital. I think that relationship is lost now." The Mirror also quoted a source as saying: "Thomas is heartbroken. He is at a complete loss as to why he has been excluded."

One reason he might be getting the cold shoulder is his Good Morning Britain interview a few weeks ago, where the 73-year-old revealed all about his staged paparazzi photos, his feelings on missing the St George's Chapel ceremony and what he really thinks of Prince Harry.

Thomas had a brush with controversy when he revealed some key information on Harry's feelings about President Donald Trump and Brexit. Naming him as a "great" and "an interesting guy", he revealed that the pair had spoken about politics on the phone, and about Trump, saying: "Our conversation was I was complaining about not liking Donald Trump, he said 'give Donald Trump a chance.' I sort of disagreed with that." When asked about details of their conversation about Brexit, he added: "It was just a loose conversation ... I think he was open to the experiment."

He also is said to have displeased the royal family when he slammed the Queen for reportedly agreeing to meet with President Donald Trump before she meets him. In an interview with TMZ, Meghan's father allegedly told the celebrity news site: "If the Queen is willing to meet our arrogant and insensitive president she has no excuse not to meet me. I’m nowhere near as bad."

However, while he has become increasingly distant from Meghan, he is said to have met up with his son Tom Jr. for the first time in more than four years at the weekend. They had been estranged for many years, but their reunion is reported to have "gone better than expected".

So, is it true that Meghan and her new in-laws are not happy with Thomas? And, if so, will they be able to put their differences behind them? Fingers crossed the father and daughter can make up soon. Family is important, after all.

If Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's relationship has been the most heavily scrutinised ever, the former Suits actress' relationship with her father, Thomas Markle, comes in a close second.

Whether or not the retired television lighting engineer would come to their nuptials in St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle on May 19 was the subject of intense speculation in the days before the wedding, and media attention only escalated when Thomas gave a much-anticipated first TV interview to Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid on Good Morning Britain weeks later. But now, amid the media storm, Thomas' feelings about his connection to his daughter may have been finally made clear - and it's apparently bad news for the Duchess of Sussex's ailing father.

Thomas is said to be "heartbroken" at his growing estrangement from Meghan since she got married to Harry back in May. British newspaper The Mirror has reported that Markle senior fears they may not "ever be together again" and believes the royal couple are now "shot" of him.

He has allegedly told friends: "I haven't talked with Meghan and Harry in a long time ... I think they're shot of me now. I don't know if she'll visit. I told her not to come and visit when I was in hospital. I think that relationship is lost now." The Mirror also quoted a source as saying: "Thomas is heartbroken. He is at a complete loss as to why he has been excluded."

One reason he might be getting the cold shoulder is his Good Morning Britain interview a few weeks ago, where the 73-year-old revealed all about his staged paparazzi photos, his feelings on missing the St George's Chapel ceremony and what he really thinks of Prince Harry.

Thomas had a brush with controversy when he revealed some key information on Harry's feelings about President Donald Trump and Brexit. Naming him as a "great" and "an interesting guy", he revealed that the pair had spoken about politics on the phone, and about Trump, saying: "Our conversation was I was complaining about not liking Donald Trump, he said 'give Donald Trump a chance.' I sort of disagreed with that." When asked about details of their conversation about Brexit, he added: "It was just a loose conversation ... I think he was open to the experiment."

He also is said to have displeased the royal family when he slammed the Queen for reportedly agreeing to meet with President Donald Trump before she meets him. In an interview with TMZ, Meghan's father allegedly told the celebrity news site: "If the Queen is willing to meet our arrogant and insensitive president she has no excuse not to meet me. I’m nowhere near as bad."

However, while he has become increasingly distant from Meghan, he is said to have met up with his son Tom Jr. for the first time in more than four years at the weekend. They had been estranged for many years, but their reunion is reported to have "gone better than expected".

So, is it true that Meghan and her new in-laws are not happy with Thomas? And, if so, will they be able to put their differences behind them? Fingers crossed the father and daughter can make up soon. Family is important, after all.