Speaking to friend Caroline Graham, Mail on Sunday US Editor, from his hospital bed, Thomas said: “Of course I want to speak to her (Meghan) but I am not sure if these are the right circumstances.

'I've always said I am open to reconciling with my daughter. I have never stopped loving her. I don't want to die estranged from Meghan.

“I want to meet my grandkids. It might be nice to meet her husband too.”

Thomas also said, as reported by The Mail on Sunday: “The nurses have told me that people around the world are praying for me and I want to say thank you for those well-wishes. People are so kind. I've been out of it all week but am finally feeling more like myself and I would like to show people I'm OK.”

He continued: “I'm grateful to the wonderful medical team who saved my life.”

Meghan’s dad also revealed he doesn’t know if he will be “able to cope” with just one leg, and that he doesn’t want to spend the rest of his life “in a wheelchair”.

He said: “I'm grateful to be alive. But living without a leg is a tough prospect."

He continued: “'I'm an old man now but my life has been saved and I'm grateful for that. I have a long road ahead.”

Express.co.uk has reached out to representatives of Meghan and the Sussexes for comment.