Thomas Markle has broken his silence about his daughter Meghan Markle’s pregnancy.
Speaking to The Mail on Sunday, the Duchess of Sussex’s estranged father, revealed his joy at news his she is expecting her first child with Prince Harry.
‘I was sitting in line waiting to cross the border when I heard the baby announcement on the car radio,’ he said.
‘The first thing I thought about was holding Meghan in my arms as a newborn 37 years ago.
‘I thought, “My baby is having a baby.” It was a very proud moment.
‘I was filled with love, joy and happiness for both my beautiful daughter and my son-in-law. A new baby is a blessing and I look forward to seeing a little Meghan or a little Harry.’
The 74-year-old also discussed the night Meghan was born in Los Angeles.
‘It was in the middle of the night when Meghan was born by caesarean section. Doria [Meghan’s mother] was sleeping [anaesthetised] and so I was the first person in the world to hold Meghan.
‘When they handed her to me and I held her in my arms for the first time it was love at first sight. She was the most beautiful baby.
‘Meghan winked at me and I fell in love and have never stopped loving her from that day forward.’
Meghan and her father's strained relationship has been broadcast across headlines for months, following the lighting director's "staged" paparazzi photos just days before her Royal Wedding.
Mr Markle has since spoken out on multiple occasions referring to the royal family as “cult-like” and “like Scientologists or the Stepford family.”
The news of Harry and Meghan's royal bub was announced by Kensington Palace, shortly after the couple landed in Australia to begin their first international tour.
“Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are very pleased to announce that The Duchess of Sussex is expecting a baby in the Spring of 2019,” the palace’s statement read. “Their Royal Highnesses have appreciated all of the support they have received from people around the world since their wedding in May and are delighted to be able to share this happy news with the public.”