Meghan Markle's plans to fly to the US and reunite with her father

A source claims that Meghan will take a solo trip home to America later this month to see her estranged father. Photo / Getty Images

Meghan Markle and her father are planning to reunite in secret in the US later this month, friends of the Duchess have reported.

A source claims that Meghan will take a solo trip home to America later this month to see her estranged father Thomas Markle, according to the Mirror.

The 74-year-old former lighting director is said to be 'delighted' about the potential visit from Meghan, and is "keeping two dates free at the end of the month", reports The Daily Mail.

The meeting would be the first time the former actress has seen her reclusive father in several months after he pulled out of her wedding to Prince Harry in May, citing health concerns.

Thomas reportedly suffered a heart attack after selling staged paparazzi photos to the media ahead of the nuptials.

Meghan's friends have said the reunion could mark the end of a devastating rift in the Markle family.

Earlier this week an insider told the Mirror that Meghan is "deeply hurt" by what has happened with her relationship with her father, calling it an "increasingly desperate situation".

Thomas has repeatedly complained about being 'cut off' by his daughter in media interviews - vowing that he won't stop speaking to the press until she agrees to get back on speaking terms.

The newly-minted royal her 37th birthday on Saturday August 4 - her first since tying the knot with Prince Harry in May.

Meghan's notoriously outspoken half-sister sent her regards on Twitter just a few minutes before midnight in the UK, writing: "Happy Birthday Meg! It would be so lovely and appropriate of you to send DAD a BELATED birthday card for his July 18th [cake emoji] @KensingtonRoyal Cheers!"