Meghan Markle’s Father Thomas Markle Undergoes Leg Amputation in the Philippines: Report

Thomas, 81, had the limb removed below the knee on Wednesday, Dec. 3, after a blood clot in his thigh reportedly cut off circulation. The three-hour procedure took place in the Philippines, where the retired lighting director relocated with his son earlier this year.
His son, Thomas Markle Jr., told the outlet, “My dad is being very brave. His foot turned blue then black. It happened very quickly. I took him to a local hospital and they did some scans and an ultrasound and said the leg had to be amputated.”
“There was no option,” he added. “I was told the leg had to be removed and it was a case of life or death.”
A representative for the Duchess of Sussex had no comment. PEOPLE has also reached out to Thomas Markle Jr. for comment.