Richard Eden writes in his column: “Queen Elizabeth was so alarmed by Meghan’s estrangement from her father that the late monarch suggested Meghan write to him.”

In her Netflix docu-series, Harry & Meghan, the duchess confirmed she had sought the Queen’s advice about her father. She said: “I reached out to Her Majesty and was, like, ‘This is what’s going on. What do you want me to do? I want…whatever advice you have.’ Ultimately, it was suggested by the Queen and the Prince of Wales [now King Charles] that I write my dad a letter.”

Thomas Markle, who celebrates his 80th birthday today, has since commented on his feud with his daughter and claimed he “doesn’t want pity”.

Speaking to the Daily Mail in June, Thomas described how he has “had a good life and I am proud of what I’ve accomplished”, adding that “everything has been overshadowed by what has happened in the last six years.”

Speaking to the Daily Mail, he also said: “I’ve never been one for birthdays, but I know the one person I most want to hear from, Meghan, won’t be in touch. I would love to meet my grandchildren, but I would be happy with a photograph at this stage.”

Following Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepping down as senior working royals in 2020, Meghan and Harry have also become estranged from the wider Royal Family.

In the book Harry described his stepmother as “dangerous” and someone who had sacrificed him “on her personal PR altar”.