Meghan Markle's estranged father Thomas has left hospital after suffering a stroke on Monday.
The 77-year-old, who missed Meghan's wedding to Prince Harry in 2018 after having two heart attacks shortly before the ceremony, had been planning to visit the UK to celebrate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee before falling ill.
The retired Hollywood lighting director said he felt fortunate to be alive but revealed he faces an uphill battle to regain his ability to speak.
He said in a statement: “I feel hugely grateful and know how lucky I am to be alive.
“I want to thank everyone, especially the wonderful doctors and nurses who saved my life. They are angels.
“I have been deeply moved by loving messages I’ve received from all over the world. People have been so kind. I can’t speak right now, but I am working hard and will thank people properly when I can.”
Despite now being unable to travel in order to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee, Mr Markle sent the Queen his best wishes for the event.
Writing on a whiteboard with a pen, he said: “I wanted to come to pay my respects to the Queen. I wish her a happy Jubilee and many more years.”
Mr Markle's stroke was reportedly caused by a blood clot on the right side of his brain, forcing him to be rushed from his home in Rosarito, Mexico, to hospital in San Diego.
After recovering on a critical care ward, he will now be cared for by his 56-year-old son Tom Jr.
Mr Markle has never met his son-in-law the Duke of Sussex or his grandchildren Archie and Lilibet, having become estranged from Meghan after posing for paparazzi pictures while he was measured for his suit ahead of her wedding four years ago.
Yesterday the Mirror exclusively revealed that Meghan is keen to reach out privately to her dad in an attempt to repair their relationship after four years apart.
