Thomas Markle claims he sent his estranged daughter Meghan a bouquet of red roses for her 40th birthday but she hasn't responded

Thomas Markle sent his estranged daughter Meghan a bouquet of red roses for her 40th birthday - but she hasn't responded, according to reports.

The former lighting director, 77, sent the flowers along with a card which read: 'Wishing you a happy birthday and brighter days', according the TMZ.

The bouquet is reported to include a dozen red roses surrounding two yellow roses, said to symbolise the two children Meghan has with husband Prince Harry.

Thomas Markle sent his estranged daughter Meghan a bouquet of red roses for her 40th birthday - but she hasn't responded, according to reports

It comes after he threatened to take the Duke and Duchess to court in order to see his grandchildren

Mr Markle reportedly feels his grandchildren, Archie and Lilibet, don't have enough family around them in California and so wanted to incorporate them into the flower arrangement. 

It comes after he threatened to take the Duke and Duchess to court in order to see his grandchildren.

Speaking to Fox News last month, Mr Markle said he was ready to take legal action 'in the very near future'.

Mr Markle has had a strained relationship with his daughter ever since the royal wedding, before which he struck a deal with a paparazzi photographer to stage photos of him.

He then pulled out of walking Meghan down the aisle at the ceremony after suffering a heart attack, with Prince Charles taking his place. 

Meghan later told Oprah that her father had 'betrayed' her and she 'found it hard to reconcile' with him. The relationship has only grown more tense as Mr Markle has continued to talk to reporters and paparazzi.

Thomas Markle and daughter Meghan, whose relationship has become strained over the years

But with his ailing health continuing to deteriorate, Thomas has said he fears he will never get to meet Archie, 2, or baby Lilibet, who was born on June 4.

Speaking at his Rosarito, Mexico home, 70 miles from the Sussexes' LA mansion, he said: 'We shouldn’t be punishing for Meghan and Harry’s bad behavior.

'Archie and Lili are small children. They’re not politics. They’re not pawns. They’re not part of the game. And they’re also royal and entitled to the same rights as any other royal.'  

'… I will be petitioning the California courts for the rights to see my grandchildren in the very near future,' he added.