In his latest bid to reconcile with his estranged daughter Meghan Markle, Thomas Markle has said that he would "get along very well" with her eldest child, Archie Harrison. Speaking from his home in Rosarito, Mexico, the former lighting director said he would tell his two grandchildren that "I love them", but stated that until his relationship with Meghan and Prince Harry improves, he is unlikely to see either Archie or Lilibet Diana.

       Speaking to the Australian breakfast show Sunrise, Thomas Markle said: "Well I would say that I love them, Lili of course is at the age where you simply hold her and Archie, well, I'd probably be a great little playmate.

       "I'd probably get along very well with him and I'd certainly enjoy it I'm sure.

       "He seems like a sweet kid, I'd like to have the opportunity to spend time with him but until this is resolved somehow with Meghan and Harry, nothing will happen."

       During the interview, Thomas Markle also said he would not be seeking legal action to see his grandchildren, as he did not wish for them to become "pawns" in his rift with Meghan.

       READ MORE: Meghan and Harry are being 'terribly unfair' to Archie and Lilibet, says Thomas Markle

       He had previously claimed to Fox News that he would be petitioning the Californian courts for visitation rights.

       The 76-year-old has never met his two grandchildren and has not met his son-in-law Prince Harry, whom Meghan has been married to since May 2018.

       Former blog posts from the Duchess's old website The Tig indicate that she used to maintain a close relationship with her father, as she praises him for encouraging her acting career.

       However, their relationship became strained after Thomas Markle collaborated with the paparazzi for a number of paid photographs.

       The images included him preparing for a tuxedo-fitting and researching the history of Britain in an internet cafe. Thomas Markle has repeatedly claimed that he took part in the photo stunt in an attempt to improve his public image.

       Shortly after the publication of the images, it was announced that he would no longer be attending the wedding nuptials of Prince Harry and Meghan, and would be undergoing heart surgery in hospital.

       Since then, he has conducted a number of interviews where he has both criticised Meghan and appealed for forgiveness.

       Shortly after the couple's Megxit announcement, he accused them of "destroying and cheapening" the monarchy, and stated that their "attack" on the Queen was "embarrassing".

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       He claims to have apologised several times to his daughter but has received "no compassion" from the Sussexes.

       Meghan also has a difficult relationship with her half-siblings, who have joined their father in criticising the Duchess. Thomas Markle Jr is currently appearing on Celebrity Big Brother Australia, where he has branded Meghan as "shallow", whilst Samantha Markle wrote the book 'The Diary of Princess Pushy's Sister'.

       During her bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey, Meghan Markle said her father's actions were "a betrayal" and said of Archie, "I can't imagine doing anything to hurt my child. I can’t reconcile that."

       Whilst her relationship with her father remains strained, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have a close relationship with Doria Ragland, Meghan's mother, who resides near the couple in California.