A nurse in the Philippines has reportedly left her healthcare position following claims that Thomas Markle Sr., the estranged father of the Duchess of Sussex, fabricated a romantic relationship between them. The retired lighting director, aged 82, publicly stated in March that he had found happiness with Rio Canedo, a 46-year-old Filipina caregiver, after meeting her during his hospital stay in Cebu, where he underwent an amputation of his left leg.
Markle Sr. described feeling "blessed" and renewed after years of personal hardship, crediting Canedo with helping him recover emotionally. The story gained international attention, accompanied by a photograph showing Markle Sr. in a wheelchair with Canedo smiling behind him. However, sources close to Canedo have since challenged this narrative, suggesting there was no romantic involvement between the two.
According to a colleague of Canedo, the nurse did not consent to or anticipate being portrayed as Markle Sr.'s love interest. The colleague conveyed that the intense media focus caused Canedo significant embarrassment, ultimately prompting her to resign from her nursing career. Sky News Asia correspondent Cordelia Lynch tweeted that Canedo, who has limited English proficiency, was unaware of the public’s characterization of her relationship with the retired lighting director.
Markle Sr. remains in care facilities following his health complications. Attempts to reach Canedo for comment have been unsuccessful. The discrepancy between Markle Sr.’s claims and accounts from those familiar with Canedo highlights ongoing tensions surrounding his personal life and public profile.