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Meghan Markle's estranged father said he is "blessed and beyond happy" after finding love with a Filipino nurse 35 years his junior. Thomas Markle, 81, met 46 year-old nurse and mother of two grown up children Rio Canedo when she helped wheel him off an ambulance last December at a rehabilitation centre in Cebu, the Philippines.

The retired Hollywood lighting director had arrived at the centre to recover from surgery last December to amputate his left leg below the knee after a massive blood clot. Prince Harry's father-in-law said he never expected to find love again at his age; his eight year marriage to Meghan's mother Doria Ragland ended in 1987 when the now Duchess of Sussex was just five years old.

While Rio - just two years older than Meghan - told the Daily Mail she knew nothing about her patient's Royal Family connections when they first met at the ambulance.

She said: "I was a bit worried because someone had told me he had a reputation for being grumpy.

"But I started working with him, and he is a total gentleman - someone who is kind and funny. I didn't know who he was. Here in the Philippines, Meghan and Harry are not a big deal."

While Thomas gushed: "I never expected to find joy and happiness again at my age.

"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."

Thomas said he knows some people may poke fun at his late-in-life relationship but "it honestly doesn't matter to me."

He remarked: "I've been through tough times which makes me appreciate the good times.

"I'm finally at peace. I was in pain for so many years about what happened with my youngest daughter Meghan.

"Over here I lead a quiet life. I am grateful for my health, for Rio and for the care I am receiving. I love the Philippines and I am enjoying my life.

"I don't care what people think any more. I'm an old man and never thought I would be alive at nearly 82.

"I want to talk about this because I never thought I would ever be happy again. 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."

Rio keeps Thomas on a strict no-sugar diet, keeps the chocolate visitors bring away from him, and urges him to drink more water.

Thomas went on: "What happened with Rio happened naturally.

"We got close and she ended up moving in with me. It's a relationship I treasure. She makes me very happy and takes such good care of me. I hope I make her happy too."

He suffered a devastating stroke in 2022 which left him unable to speak for weeks.

Thomas moved to the Philippines in January 2025 alongside his son Tom Jr., 59, in part to escape his estrangement from Meghan, 44, who is only two years younger than her father's new girlfriend.

He has regained his power of speech which he puts down in great part to speaking all the time to his new love.

He said: "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.

"The Philippines have a gentler way of life. I never expected to meet Rio and have my life changed in such a wonderful way."

The estrangement goes back to Meghan's May 2018 wedding to Prince Harry, which Markle missed after suffering two heart attacks. He has never met Harry or his grandchildren Prince Archie, six, and Princess Lilibet, aged four.

Meghan entered St. George's Chapel on her own and was escorted part-way down the aisle by King Charles (then Prince of Wales) with her mother Doria being the only member of her family at the wedding.

Thomas added: "I'd love to see my grandkids. It makes me sad that King Charles has only met Archie and Lilibet once or twice.

"How strange it is that me, over here in my little world, and him, the King of England, are both in the same boat. We both can't see our grandkids.

"I love Meghan. She is my daughter. But I don't know how much time I have left and I want to spend what time I have being happy. Rio makes me happy."

Both of his eldest children - Tom and Samantha, from his first marriage to Roslyn Loveless (they divorced in 1975 after 11 years of marriage) - approve of his relationship with Rio.

He said he wants to take Rio on holiday to America once he is well enough. He does physiotherapy three times a week, is about to start aqua therapy and hopes to be fitted with a prosthetic limb later in the year.

Thomas also opened up about a potential marriage, leaving the door wide open.

"I would marry Rio if it was beneficial to her," he said. "For now we are just enjoying life. I am grateful every morning I wake up and feel safe and cared for. Rio has made me very happy."

Rio - a divorcee with a 16-year-old son about to graduate high school hoping to be a teacher and a 22-year-old daughter at college studying to be a pharmacist - added: "I care deeply for him."