Prince Charles to Walk Meghan Markle Down Aisle
After a week of drama surrounding Meghan Markle's father, Thomas Markle Sr., it was announced that Prince Charles will walk his soon-to-be daughter in law down the aisle at the royal wedding on Saturday.
Kensington Palace announced the news early Friday morning. "Ms. Markle has asked His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales to accompany her down the aisle of the Quire of St. George's Chapel on her Wedding Day. The Prince of Wales is Pleased to Be Able to Welcome Ms. Markle to The Royal Family in this way."
An update on the #RoyalWedding pic.twitter.com/BMLlIIZyxf
- Clarence House (@ClarenceHouse) May 18, 2018
Markle confirmed that her father would not be in attendance at her wedding on Thursday morning.
"Sadly, my father will not be attending our wedding. I have always cared for my father and hope he can be given the space he needs to focus on his health," reads the message, which was also shared on Twitter.
"I would like to thank everyone who has offered generous messages of support. Please know how much Harry and I look forward to sharing our special day with you on Saturday."
Up until a week ago, her father was confirmed to be both attending the wedding and walking his daughter down the aisle. But on Monday, Thomas Markle Sr. told U.S. publication TMZ that he would not be attending given the "fallout" over photographs which he admitted were staged. They also reported that Markle Sr. had suffered a heart attack last week.
Later he stated that he would like to be there for his daughter, but was unclear if his doctors would allow him to fly, given his recent cardiac event. He eventually told the publication that he had heart surgery on Wednesday, and would no longer be able to attend the wedding, as he is recovering.
"I'm ok. It will take a long time to heal," he told TMZ on Wednesday. "Staying in the hospital a few more days. Not allowed to get excited."
This isn't the first time a royal bride has been given away by someone other than her father. Princess Margaret, for example, was accompanied down the aisle by her brother-in-law Prince Philip, as her father had passed away years earlier.
Queen Victoria also gave several of her daughters away.
But what's still unclear is whether Prince Charles will walk Markle the whole way, or if she could
The Quire, which is clearly referred to in the statement, is the part of the chapel closest to the altar, where the family and very close friends of the bride and groom will likely be sitting tomorrow. To get to the Quire, Meghan will have to walk through another part of the church called the Nave, begging the question--will she walk herself? Or could her mother Doria Ragland, walk her part of the way?
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