Meghan Markle’s dad, Thomas, says he is “saddened” that Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet are being “denied” a royal lifestyle.

Ahead of his 80th birthday, Thomas, who is estranged from his daughter, says he wants nothing more than to finally meet his grandchildren.

Thomas, who lives in Rosarito, Mexico, some 400km away from Prince Harry and Meghan, says he cannot believe that he has never met his son-in-law, reports New Zealand Woman’s Weekly.

He is also keen to connect with King Charles, to discuss how the pair feel about never seeing their grandchildren, with Thomas saying even a picture would make him happy.

It was the recent Trooping the Colour ceremony, where Prince William’s children, Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, nine, and Prince Louis, six, stood proudly alongside their family on the Buckingham Palace balcony that made Thomas feel sorry for his own grandchildren.

Speaking to New Zealand Woman’s Weekly, he said: “It struck me as very sad that Meghan and Harry’s kids are being denied the right to know their cousins, who look like fantastic children, or take part in things like Trooping the Colour, which is their birthright.

“They are getting to the age where they will start to ask questions, as all kids do. I find myself wondering how Archie and Lilbet will feel in a few years’ time when they realise all the things they have missed out on.”

Thomas says five-year-old Archie and Lilibet, three, have “two grandpas who want to see them”, joking that he never thought he would be in the same position as the King.

Express.co.uk has contacted representatives for Harry and Meghan for comment.

It comes as King Charles is reportedly willing to meet Harry in Montecito, California, so he can be seen as a “friendly grandfather” to his youngest grandchildren.

Royal expert Tom Quinn claimed: “He is desperate to see his them and hates the idea that Archie and Lilibet will not remember him as the warm, friendly grandfather he wants to be.”

Meanwhile, Thomas, who turns 80 on July 18, says Meghan is the “one person I want to hear from most” – although he admits she likely won’t be in touch with him to wish happy birthday, or even offer a chance of a meeting.

Thomas famously fell out with his daughter following his paparazzi scandal and absence from her wedding in 2018. They have reportedly not spoken since.