It’s been four years since she last saw him in person, but Meghan Markle could soon be facing her father in court.
Last week, the Duchess of Sussex launched a legal battle against a Sunday newspaper for publishing excerpts of a personal letter she wrote to her dad Thomas Markle last year.
But, according to sources, Thomas, who vehemently defended his decision to publicly share the letter, is willing to travel to the UK to defend his actions – meaning the two could come face-to-face in a courtroom.
Last week, Thomas said he’d been forced to release parts of Meghan’s private letter in response to a People magazine article that “vilified” him.
Check out: all the celebrities engaged this year
CLOSER: Celebrity engagements SLIDER
Anthea Turner and Mark Armstrong
TV presenter Anthea Turner has announced she's engaged to her partner Mark Armstrong after dating for five months. On Instagram she shared a photo alongside her fiancé and wrote: "When you know, you know… Mr A you've taken my breath away, love you so much bursting with happiness."You're a total unique bag of thoughts, passion, emotion and love."The pair reportedly met at a private member's club in March 2019.
Liam Gallagher and Debbie Gwyther
Oasis star Liam Gallagher has apparently popped the question to music manager Debbie Gwyther. The pair have been together for six years after meeting in 2013 while Liam was performing on tour.
Alison King
Coronation Street star Alison King is reportedly engaged to her mystery partner. The actress' fiancé apparently popped the question at the beginning of August and Alison's co-stars Kym Marsh and Jane Danson are reportedly "delighted" about the news.
Hayley Tamaddon
Congratulations to former Emmerdale star Hayley Tamaddon who is engaged.The soap star has had an incredible 2019 - first she announced she's pregnant and now she's getting married. Hayley posted a snap of herself and her rock of a ring on Twitter, she wrote alongside the snap: "HE PROPOSED."I said YES!!!! This year is turning out to be quite wonderful. ud83dudc96"
Matt Di Angelo
EastEnders star Matt Di Angelo announced he was engaged to long-term girlfriend Sophia Perry on Instagram. The actor shared a photo of pizza, a bottle of champagne and an engagement ring on the beach and wrote alongside the snap: "Got pizza today. ✌ud83cudffc ud83cudf55 ud83dudc8d ud83cudf7e ud83cudfd6". The pair have been dating for five years and Sophia shared a snap of herself eating pizza while showing off her new rock.
Amy Willerton
I'm A Celebrity star Amy Willerton has announced she's engaged to her long term partner Daniel Day. The pair had been dating five years before he popped the questioned on a snowy mountaintop on Switzerland. Despite the romantic setting she made her fiancé ask the question twice, she told Hello magazine: "The second time around I made him do it on one knee because I didn't know if proposing on both knees counted!"
Mark Feehily
Mark Feehily from Westlife announced in February that he's engaged to his boyfriend of six years, who he's kept a secret!He shared a romantic picture of his fiancé's bejeweled hand on a beach holiday in the Maldives.
James McVey and Kirstie Brittain
The Vamps turned I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! star James McVey is engaged to his girlfriend Kirstie Brittain.The happy couple, who have been dating for four years, got engaged at the Lake District.
Fiona Wade and Simon Cotton
Emmerdale star Fiona Wade announced she's engaged to her former co-star Simon Cotton (who played Hugh Bryant) on Instagram. Gushing about the incredible proposal, she wrote: "Two days ago this beautiful man asked me to be his wife. There has never been an easier answer to a question.... Yes! ud83dudc8d❤ufe0f "Feel so incredibly blessed ud83dudc9b Wishing you all a wonderful 2019 & so much love for the year ahead ❤ufe0fud83cudf89ud83dude18"
John Torode and Lisa Faulkner
In January 2019 John Torode and Lisa Faulkner announced they were engaged. The happy couple first met in 2010 when Lisa appeared on Masterchef, she went on to win the show and John's heart.
Laura Norton and Mark Jordon
Emmerdale stars Laura Norton and Mark Jordon got engaged on New Year's Eve 2018. Following reports that he 'attacked an oap', Mark wrote on Twitter: "Well 2018 had some of the highest highs and the lowest lows. Really got to feel the love of true friends. "Feel blessed by the support of my children and elated to have heard the word 'yes' from the most beautiful woman in the world."
Michelle Hardwick and Kate Brooks
As far as workplace romances go, this one is #couplegoals.Michelle only announced her relationship with ITV producer Kate Brooks in September 2018,although it's thought the pair had been dating for much longer. This will be the Emmerdale actress's second marriage, after her two year marriage to Rosie Nicholl broke down in 2017.Congratulations to the happy couple!
Rio Ferdinand and Kate Wright
Rio and Kate's engagementis perhaps the CUTEST one of 2018. Rio tragically lost his wife Rebecca to breast cancer in 2015, after having three children together. His kids gave Kate their approval when she started dating Rio in 2017. In fact, they helped him to arrange the rooftop proposal in Dubai! We hope this family get the fairytale ending they deserve.
Ollie Locke and Gareth Locke
Ollie Locke, 30, announced his engagement to his 'friend of ten years', Gareth Locke, in The Times 'Forthcoming Marriages' section in September 2018. Ollie took to social media to say: "I have never been happier and can't wait to spend the rest of my life with someone who makes me smile like this every day!" Awww.
Louise Thompson and Ryan Libbey
Shortly after Proudlock revealed he was engaged, Made in Chelsea stars Louise Thompson and Ryan Libbey announced they're getting married. In June 2019 Louise cancelled the wedding, saying she needed to wait until "the tie is right". The reality stars got engaged on Ryan's birthday during a hike However, they've since decided to put their wedding plans on hold as they feel it's not the right time to tie the knot.
Oliver Proudlock and Emma Louise Connelly
Oliver Proudlock and model Emma Louise Connelly announced their engagement on social media in August 2018 while holidaying in Sweden. The Made in Chelsea star popped the question on their fourth anniversary and the happy couple flaunted their happiness and a HUGE diamond ring - which Proudlock designed himself - on both their social media channels.He captioned his photo: "She said yes!! She's making an honest man of me. Greatest moment of my life."Emily posted the same photo with the caption:"and then I said yes. and split my jeans from excitement. ❤ufe0f @proudlock"She then shared a selfie with her wearing the ring and commented: "I'm genuinely not sure if I'll ever stop crying."@proudlock designed the most breathtaking ring of my DREAMS using the diamonds from his Grandma's engagement ring. That'll be me crying again."
Leona Lewis and Dennis Jauch
Singer Leona Lewis was rumoured to be engaged to boyfriend of eight years Dennis Jauch in August 2018 after posting a series of holiday pics where she's sporting a diamond ring on her engagement finger. The pair confirmed the news in a sweet announcement on Instagram in November that year.
Ellie Goulding and Casper Jopling
Singer Ellie Goulding's engagement to boyfriend of 18 months Casper Jopling was announced in The Times newspaper in August 2018.
Helen Flanagan and Scott Sinclair
Scott Sinclair proposed to Helen Flanagan while at Disneyland Paris in June 2018. The pair have a daughter together and another baby on the way.
Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom
On Valentines Day in 2019 Orlando Bloom proposed to pop star Katy Perry. The pair confirmed the incredible photo by sharing a loved-up snap with her engagement ring on show. Orlando wrote alongside the photo 'lifetimes' while Katy simply captioned the snap 'full bloom'. Cute.
Jake Hall and Missé Beqiri
After two years TOWIE's Jake Hall popped the question to his girlfriend Missé Beqiri. The reality stars are parents to their baby girl River, and Missé is also a mum to three-year-old Julian from her first marriage to footballer Anders Lindegaard.
Tamara Wall and Gareth Jones
Hollyoaks actress Tamara Wall (AKA Grace Black) announced her engagement to Gareth Jones in July 2018.
Kara Tointon and Marius Jensen
Actress Kara Tointon reportedly got engaged to Marius Jensen and flashed a diamond ring in June 2018.
Sheridan Smith and Jamie Horn
Gavin and Stacey star Sheridan Smith is engaged just three months after meeting her partner Jamie Horn on Tinder, although insists she has no immediate plans to marry.
Jade Ewen and Daniel De Bourg
Former Sugababe Jade Ewen and her boyfriend Daniel De Bourg got engaged on Valentine's Day!
Jeremy Kyle and Vicky Burton
Just two years after divorcing his wife, it was reported that Jeremy Kyle and his children's former nanny Vicky Burton were engaged.
Shona McGarty and Ryan Harris
EastEnders actress Shona McGarty got engaged to her long term partner Ryan Harris in January 2018. The pair have been dating for five years.
Jack Monroe and Louisa Compton
Bootstrap cook Jack Monroe is engaged to her girlfriend, TV producer Louisa Compton. Sharing a picture of two MAJOR sparklers on Twitter, she wrote, "I've been keeping this a secret until we told our mums, but @louisa_compton said yes!!"Congratulations to the happy couple :)
Jennifer Lawrence Cooke Maroney
Jennifer Lawrence got engaged to her art dealer boyfriend Cooke Maroney in February 2019 after eight months of dating.
Chanelle McCleary
Ex On The Beach and Big Brother star Chanelle McCleary is engaged.Chanelle's boyfriend proposed to her in February 2019 during a Valentine's trip to Venice. Chanelle announced the news on Instagram. Alongside a photo of the engagement ring, she wrote: "Never thought I would say this but I am now engaged. omg need to set a date ASAP now so he can't get away MISS MCCLEARY TO MRS."
Rory Douglas Speed and Nadine Mulkerrin
Hollyoaks stars Rory Douglas Speed and Nadine Mulkerrin got engaged in real life just a few weeks after their characters, Joel Dexter and Cleo McQueen got engaged on the soap. Taking to Instagram with a collection of adorable pictures taken on a romantic break in Amsterdam, Rory shared the happy news with his followers.''She said yes!! Swipe for reaction >>>", he captioned the post.
Casey Batchelor and Dane Goodson
Nearly a year after welcoming their daughter Florence into the world, reality star and fitness fanatic Casey said 'yes' when boyfriend of two years Dane proposed. "I didn't think any of this would happen for me. I thought all men were just idiots, but he's amazing," she told OK! magazine."When you've got children and everything, it's just when really, when we fit it in. We definitely want to [get married]!"
Joe Sugg and Dianne Buswell
Strictly Come Dancing lovers Dianne Buswell and Joe Sugg were rumoured to be tying the knot after their Strictly co-star Neil Jones set tongues wagging by tweeting a cheeky cryptic message."I think @Joe_Sugg might be buying some knee pads as he keeps talking about getting on one kneeud83eudd14," he said.
Gavin Henson and Katie Wilson Mould
Welsh rugby player Gavin Henson, who once dated Charlotte Church, has proposed to his 22-year-old girlfriend Katie, who he's been dating since 2016. 37-year-old Gavin proposed with a huuuuge diamond sparkler while the couple were on holiday in South Africa.
Lucy Mecklenburgh and Ryan Thomas
TOWIE's Lucy Mecklenburgh said yes when Corrie actor Ryan Thomas popped the question while on a romantic mini-break to Postiano back in June.Lucy appeared to hint that marriage was on the cards earlier this year when she was spotted liking a series of wedding photos on Instagram, with Ryan even admitting that she regularly drops hints about getting engaged.
Joaquin Phoenix and Rooney Mara
Congratulations are due for Hollywood superstars, Joaquin Phoenix and Rooney Mara, who became engaged in July after three years in a relationship.It is reported that the couple fell in love after working together on the film Mary Magdalene. The 44-year-old Joker star was previously linked to Anna Paquin, Liv Tyler, Lindsay Lohan and Anna Friel. However, it now appears that Joaquin has met 'the one' in Rooney as the pair are very much loved-up and living in LA together.Last month, Rooney sparked engagement rumours when was seen with a huge diamond ring on her wedding finger - and now it's official!
Luke Jerdy and Daisy Wood
Hollyoaks sweethearts Luke Jerdy and Daisy Wood are engaged after meeting on the set of the soap in 2014. Luke proposed on holiday in Greece in front of Daisy's family, with a ring he designed himself.
Harry Derbidge and Dean Rowland
Harry Derbidge got engaged to his beau Dean Rowland in September, with his cousin Amy Childs throwing him a very glam engagement party. "We're getting MARRIED ud83dudc70ud83cudffc I'm still in shock ud83dude2d thank you everyone who was apart of our special day ❤ufe0f love you more then anything @mrdeanrowland ud83dudc96" he wrote on Instagram.
Olivia Attwood and Bradley Dack
TOWIE star Olivia and her footballer boyfriend Bradley got engaged during a romantic holiday to Dubai, with Olivia making the announcement on Instagram saying, "He must be crazy... ud83dude4a Here's to forever . I love you BD ud83dudc8e".The couple dated before Olivia entered the Love Island villa in 2017 and placed third alongside Chris Hughes, and reunited after their split.
Jessica Fox and Nicholas Willies
Long running Hollyoaks actress Jessica Fox, who's played Nancy Osborne since 2005, got engaged to her boyfriend Nicholas in November."Be with someone you can be completely yourself with. Someone who makes you want to be better, kinder, eat more fruit and veg. So of course I said 'yes'," she said.
In the article, a handful of Meghan’s unnamed friends had cited the letter, claiming that she’d begged her father, "Please stop victimising me through the media, so we can repair our relationship", and said that it had been written as an olive branch.
But, according to Thomas, Meghan’s words were far more hurtful than reported.
He told a newspaper, "I have to defend myself. I only released parts of the letter, because other parts were so painful. The letter didn’t seem loving to me. I found it hurtful."
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Thomas added that the letter made no attempt to heal their rift. "I was expecting something that would be a pathway to reconciliation. Instead, it was deeply hurtful," he explained.
As heat has reported, Harry and Meghan recently launched an "unprecedented" attack on the British press – starting with suing the Sunday paper for a breach of copyright, infringing her privacy and breaching the Data Protection Act.
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The paper has stated it will defend the case "vigorously", and insiders say that defiant Thomas is now prepared to travel to the UK to argue his case.
And if the matter does end up in court, Meghan could be called as a witness.
"It’s tragic how Thomas didn’t come to Meghan’s wedding, yet his first brush with anything royal could be in one of Her Majesty’s courts," an insider said last week.
"Thomas speaking out to defend his actions shows his intent. He is adamant that he was justified."
Read more in this week's heat magazine, OUT NOW.