Featured Image Credit: ITV
Topics: Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, US News, UK News, Royal Family, Celebrity
Rhianna Benson
Topics: Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, US News, UK News, Royal Family, Celebrity
Thomas Markle, estranged father of the Duchess of Sussex, has reportedly found love with a nurse 35 years younger.
Apparently, the 81-year-old is 'overjoyed' to have made things official with Rio Canedo, 46.
The pair first met towards the end of 2025, when Markle was receiving treatment in the Philippines following life-saving surgery.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, the retired Hollywood lighting director claims Canedo bought him 'peace and happiness' following a leg amputation procedure.
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He suffered from a blood clot back in December, which resulted in his leg being removed before the knee. His son, Thomas Jr, told the same publication at the time that his father's circulation had been cut off by a severe blockage.
Markle spent four days in intensive care before undergoing a lengthy recovery process in a specialised rehab unit.
The father-of-three, who moved to the Philippines the previous January, had also suffered a stroke in the years before that affected his ability to speak.
Discussing his new beau, he claims Canedo also came along following years of feeling both 'sad and neglected', a possible reference to his long-standing estrangement from his daughter, Meghan, which has dragged on since she and Prince Harry's 2018 wedding.
Markle suffered from two heart attacks prior to the 44-year-old's nuptials and was therefore unable to attend. Meghan's father-in-law, King Charles III, stepped in at the last minute to walk her down the aisle.
"I never expected to find joy and happiness again at my age," he gushed this week. "I felt neglected and sad for so many years, but now I am enjoying life again. After so many tough times, I feel truly blessed to have found someone very special who takes such good care of me."
Brushing off the criticism he believes he's bound to face in the coming weeks, likely given that Canedo is just two years older than his former Suits actress daughter, Markle insisted: "I want to talk about this because I never thought I would ever be happy again."
He went on to explain: "I want people to know you’re never too old to find peace and love. There’s a lot of negative things going on in the world and if my story can give a little hope to one person then I’m happy.
"The haters will hate but, to be honest, I don’t give a damn. Life is for living. There’s nothing more important in life than love."
Canedo is a mother of two grown children. According to the outlet, she had no idea who Markle was when he arrived at her hospital in Cebu.
He now credits her, however, for having aided him in regaining his ability to speak.
"After my stroke, things were not great. I wanted to go to the other side of the world to a place where the people are kind," Markle continued. "The Philippines has a gentler way of life.
"I never expected to meet Rio and have my life changed in such a wonderful way."
Markle also claimed Canedo has helped him to release some of the heartache he's reportedly endured since mother-of-two Meghan cut contact.
"I hardly watch the news," he went on. "I live in a world where people are kind to each other. The nurses and doctors here in the Philippines are wonderful.
"People here don’t have all the worldly goods we have in the West, but they respect and care for older people."
Markle added: "There are young trainee nurses here who we call the ‘munchkins’ and all I hear all day long are peals of laughter.
"I was sad about Meghan for so long, but now I finally feel like I can laugh again. Life is good."