Meghan Markle’s estranged father has been thrust into the spotlight once again, this time under circumstances far more terrifying than the usual family drama that has dogged the Duchess of Sussex for years.

According to shocking claims made by Meghan’s half-sister, Samantha Markle, 80-year-old Thomas Markle is “stuck on the 19th floor of a building in the Philippines after a massive earthquake” and unable to move. The alarming update, which was shared publicly on Samantha’s X account, painted a grim picture: “My father is stuck on the 19th floor of a building in the Philippines after a massive earthquake and he can’t walk and he is trapped.”

The quake, measured at a magnitude of 6.7, struck near the Eastern Visayas region on Tuesday, September 30. While officials quickly reassured the public that there was no tsunami threat, aftershocks were expected, and residents were urged to head inland as a precaution. For Thomas Markle, living high above ground in his Cebu apartment, the situation reportedly became dire in a matter of minutes.

Thomas, who relocated to the Philippines earlier this year after more than a decade in Mexico, had already been struggling with the adjustment. Sources told The Post in previous reports that the former Hollywood lighting director found it difficult to adapt to the tropical climate, the language barriers, and the lifestyle change. His health, including mobility issues, further complicated his transition. Now, stranded in a high-rise as tremors rattled the country, his vulnerability has taken on frightening new weight.

What makes the situation even more explosive is Samantha Markle’s decision to turn her father’s crisis into a public battle cry against Meghan. Rather than focusing solely on her father’s immediate danger, she aimed her criticism directly at her famous half-sister. Reports suggest Samantha hinted that Meghan’s estrangement from their father has left him isolated, implying that if the Duchess had maintained closer ties, Thomas might not be facing this ordeal alone.

The estrangement between Meghan and her father is no secret. Their relationship collapsed in 2018 in the lead-up to her royal wedding with Prince Harry, when Thomas became embroiled in a staged paparazzi scandal. His subsequent absence from the ceremony — citing health issues after suffering a heart attack — cemented the rift. Since then, Thomas has spoken openly to the press on multiple occasions, often against Meghan’s wishes for privacy. She has described feeling “betrayed” by his actions, and despite years of headlines and speculation, there has been no reconciliation.

For Meghan, who is now a mother of two and deeply invested in her growing lifestyle empire, this latest crisis with her father threatens to reopen old wounds. Sources close to the Duchess suggest she was “devastated” upon hearing the news of the earthquake and her father’s precarious situation. While Meghan has not made a public statement, royal watchers speculate she may be torn between her desire for distance and the undeniable pull of family bonds in the face of danger.

“This could be a turning point,” one insider claimed. “Despite everything that has happened, the thought of her father being trapped and helpless may force Meghan to confront her feelings and possibly extend an olive branch. At the very least, she must be deeply worried.”

Still, Samantha Markle’s sharp criticism complicates any potential path to reconciliation. Her public attacks on Meghan have been relentless, with lawsuits, interviews, and accusations fueling an already bitter feud. In fact, Samantha’s most recent defamation lawsuit against Meghan further entrenched their fractured relationship, making Meghan wary of any interaction with her half-sister.

As the situation unfolds in the Philippines, the Markle family drama once again collides with real-life tragedy. While Thomas remains reportedly trapped, with limited information emerging about his condition, speculation about Meghan’s response continues to swirl. Will this be the moment that bridges the gap between father and daughter — or yet another chapter in their painful estrangement?

For now, Meghan’s silence leaves room for endless rumors. What is certain, however, is that Thomas Markle’s plight highlights the fragile reality of family ties stretched to their breaking point. Even across oceans, even after years of betrayal and bitterness, the bond between father and daughter cannot be ignored when life itself hangs in the balance.