LONDON - Meghan Markle's father has appealed to his daughter to call him, saying they hadn't been in touch since her wedding to Prince Harry in May.

Thomas Markle told ITV on Monday that he had been texting his daughter, the Duchess of Sussex, but that she hadn't responded.

Speaking from San Diego, Markle said, "I love my daughter very much and she has to know that, and I would really appreciate if she would call me, just reach out to me."

In Markle's first television interview since the duchess announced her pregnancy in October, the 74-year-old grandfather-to-be agreed he'd been "ghosted" by his daughter. He suggested the royal couple had been influenced by media reports about him.

Markle says he hopes Queen Elizabeth II will help heal the rift.