How Prince Harry got close to Meghan's reclusive father

The prince has been making "regular" phone calls with Meghan's father, Thomas Markle, to discuss the upcoming nuptials. Photo / Getty Images

He has already won over his future mother-in-law, and now it seems Prince Harry is working his magic on Meghan Markle's father too.

The prince has reportedly struck up a close bond with Thomas Markle and been making "regular" phone calls to discuss their upcoming nuptials, reports the target="_blank">Daily Mail.

Lori Davis, a friend of Thomas, told the Daily Mirror: "Talk that Harry had upset Tom with comments about their family aren't true.

"He thinks Harry's a great guy – he couldn't have wished for a better son-in-law."

The latest reports appear to contradict claims that Meghan and Thomas have lost contact and that he will not be invited to the royal wedding on May 19.

Lori, a 38-year-old mother of one explained: "He doesn't plan on not going [to the wedding]. Out of respect, Tom says little – but I can't imagine him not being invited. He'd love to walk her down the aisle."

Ms Davis added: "He stays to himself, but is very friendly."

She also refuted claims that Thomas's limp would prevent him from walking his daughter down the aisle - insisting it is little more than a "slight limp".

It comes after the Mail on Sunday spoke to a friend of Thomas about the wedding, who said: 'He's very excited about it.

"He's very close to her [Meghan] and he's very happy. All the pressure has been hard on him and he's just trying to stay out of the limelight."

Former lighting director Thomas, 73, is believed to have moved to his seafront bungalow in Rosarito, Mexico in 2016 after going bankrupt and lives a reclusive existence.

He previously called Harry and Meghan "a very good match," saying: "It's wonderful. I'm very happy for them."

Pictures taken last summer confirmed Harry had forged a close relationship with Meghan's mother, yoga teacher Doria Ragland; the pair were spotted deep in conversation while watching the Invictus Games closing ceremony in Toronto.

Doria and Thomas tied the knot in Los Angeles in 1979 before splitting when Meghan was six years old.

The former actress is set to marry Harry, 33, at St. George's Chapel, Windsor, in May.

MailOnline has contacted Kensington Palace for comment.