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| Royal wedding 2018: Meghan Markle's father will not attend | Royal wedding 2018: Meghan Markle's father will not attend |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Meghan Markle says her father will not attend her wedding to Prince Harry on Saturday. | |
| In a statement, she said she had "always cared" for her father and hoped he could be given the space he needed to focus on his health. | In a statement, she said she had "always cared" for her father and hoped he could be given the space he needed to focus on his health. |
| In recent days, doubts had been raised over whether Thomas Markle would be at the wedding to walk his daughter down the aisle. | In recent days, doubts had been raised over whether Thomas Markle would be at the wedding to walk his daughter down the aisle. |
| On Wednesday, it was reported that he had to undergo heart surgery. | On Wednesday, it was reported that he had to undergo heart surgery. |
| Mr Markle, who is understood to be in Mexico, was caught up in controversy after allegedly staging photographs with the paparazzi. | Mr Markle, who is understood to be in Mexico, was caught up in controversy after allegedly staging photographs with the paparazzi. |
| He later told US celebrity news website TMZ he would not attend the wedding amid the controversy; then that he would; and then that he could not, due to a planned heart procedure. | |
| Ms Markle's estranged half-sister, Samantha, said he had faced "unbelievable stress". | Ms Markle's estranged half-sister, Samantha, said he had faced "unbelievable stress". |
| The paparazzi pictures showed Mr Markle - apparently unaware he was being photographed - carrying out preparations for the wedding, including being measured for a suit. | |
| On Monday, Mr Markle reportedly told TMZ that he would not attend the ceremony to avoid embarrassing his daughter. | |
| TMZ later reported that Mr Markle wanted to be there - although it might not be possible because of health concerns. | |
| And in a third report, the website said that health issues and planned surgery would prevent him from attending after all. | |
| His absence leaves a big question mark over who will walk Ms Markle down the aisle. | |
| Her mother, Doria Ragland, who arrived in the UK on Wednesday, would be one option, or she could choose to walk alone. | |
| Ms Markle has 10 bridesmaids and pageboys, all under the age of eight. | |
| She decided against having a maid of honour because she wanted to avoid choosing between her closest friends. |