Thomas Markle has said he is being "shunned and ghosted" by his daughter Meghan during a TV interview.

The 74-year-old told ITV's Good Morning Britain he was being blanked by the Duchess of Sussex.

He said he has been texting her every day but she will not return any of his messages.

And he revealed he hoped Queen Elizabeth would step in to end his estrangement from his daughter.

"I am disappointed by it," he said. "I'm not sure why it's happening... I have been trying to reach out for several weeks, every day I try to text her, but haven't received anything back."


Image: The Duchess of Sussex was called 'controlling' by her father

Speaking of the Queen's stepping in, he said: "I would appreciate anything she can do and I would think that she would want to resolve the family problems.

"All families, royal or otherwise, are the same and should be together at the holidays."

The retired Hollywood lighting director dismissed Piers Morgan's suggestion that his daughter was rude following media reports of a rift between her and Kate, but admitted she was "controlling".

Meghan's father hopes Queen intervenes

He said: "I don't believe them [the reports] I think they're gossip - Meghan has never been rude to anyone she learned to respect everyone.

"She's always been a very controlling person and that's part of her nature but she's never been rude.

"The ghosting I don't completely understand - shes always been in charge, that's her nature, but not been rude."

He added: "She was raised on Hollywood stages and learned to respect the crew. She learned to respect everyone - I just can't see her being rude to anybody. It's not her."

Markle said he was hopeful that his daughter would get in touch with him after not speaking to the press for six months.

"I'm hopeful that something will be resolved and we'll be talking. This can't continue forever."

Image: The Duke and Duchess of Sussex leave St George's Chapel after their wedding ceremony

The father-of-three, who is not in touch with Meghan's mother Doria Ragland, did not attend his daughter's wedding to Prince Harry in May as he was recovering from heart surgery.

He became the subject of controversy after it was revealed that he had staged photographs with the paparazzi in return for money a few days prior to the wedding.

During Monday's interview, Markle said he had "apologised 100 times for that".

He added: "That's not worthy of being shunned or ghosted - that's ridiculous".

But he said he thinks Meghan, who is pregnant, will make a "great mum".

"There has to be a place for me, I'm her father and will be the grandfather of her children."

Markle defended his daughter's behaviour, claiming she has "been through quite a lot adjusting to what she's doing" as a new member of the royal family.

"It's not an easy task. I think she'll reach out in time."

Kensington Palace did not immediately comment on the interview.