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Royal wedding 2018: Meghan sad over dad's wedding absence Royal wedding 2018: Meghan sad over dad's wedding absence
(35 minutes later)
Meghan Markle says her father will not attend her wedding to Prince Harry on Saturday. Meghan Markle has confirmed that her father, who had been expected to walk her down the aisle, will not be at 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. There had been doubts Thomas Markle would attend, after it was reported he underwent heart surgery on Wednesday.
On Wednesday, it was reported that he had to undergo heart surgery. Hours after her statement, Ms Markle was seen in Windsor with Prince Harry.
Mr Markle had been due to meet the prince for the first time this week, as well as the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh. The couple were driven along the procession route with a police escort. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were also spotted in Windsor for the dress rehearsal for the wedding.
The couple can expect a sunny and breezy day, with temperatures reaching up to a balmy 21C in the late afternoon. It was the first time the duchess has been seen in public since introducing Prince Louis, her third child, to the world on the steps of St Mary's Hospital in London little over three weeks ago.
Mr Markle, who is understood to be in Mexico, was caught up in controversy after allegedly staging photographs with the paparazzi. The rehearsal in Windsor drew hundreds of children, parents and pets who were keen to get into the party mood early.
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. Many were dressed in red, white and blue, and waved union jacks as carriages and cavalry soldiers passed by.
Ms Markle's estranged half-sister, Samantha, said he had faced "unbelievable stress". The sun was out for the rehearsal - and looks set to stay for Saturday. BBC Weather is forecasting a sunny, breezy day, with temperatures reaching 21C (70F) in the late afternoon.
The paparazzi pictures showed Mr Markle - apparently unaware he was being photographed - carrying out preparations for the wedding, including being measured for a suit. Thomas Markle had been due to arrive in the UK in the days before the wedding to meet the prince for the first time.
On Monday, Mr Markle reportedly told TMZ that he would not attend the ceremony to avoid embarrassing his daughter. But in the run up to the wedding, he became caught up in controversy after allegedly staging photographs with the paparazzi.
The 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 US celebrity news website 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.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. In a third report, the website said that health issues and planned surgery would prevent him from attending after all.
Ms Markle's estranged half-sister, Samantha, said he had faced "unbelievable stress".
His absence leaves a big question mark over who will walk Ms Markle down the aisle.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, as would Prince Charles, Harry's father, or she could choose to walk alone. Her mother, Doria Ragland, who arrived in the UK on Wednesday, would be one option, as would Prince Charles, Harry's father - or she could choose to walk alone.
Ms Markle has 10 bridesmaids and pageboys, all under the age of eight.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.She decided against having a maid of honour because she wanted to avoid choosing between her closest friends.
The news came two days before the couple's big day, as a rehearsal of the carriage procession through Windsor took place. The rehearsal of the carriage procession went largely without a hitch, although some horses were seen veering out of line.
Hundreds of people lined the streets in the sunshine to get an idea of what's to come when the newlyweds take a 25-minute carriage ride through the town.Hundreds of people lined the streets in the sunshine to get an idea of what's to come when the newlyweds take a 25-minute carriage ride through the town.
The world's media, royal superfans and locals watched the military parade through the streets. About 250 members of the armed forces are expected to take part on Saturday.The world's media, royal superfans and locals watched the military parade through the streets. About 250 members of the armed forces are expected to take part on Saturday.
At the dry run, there was a heavy police presence, including armed officers and officers stationed on roofs to oversee the crowds.At the dry run, there was a heavy police presence, including armed officers and officers stationed on roofs to oversee the crowds.
Mr Markle formerly worked as a lighting director on programmes including the 1980s TV show Married with Children and General Hospital, for which he and his team won two Emmy awards. Mr Markle, who lives in Mexico, used to worked as a lighting director on programmes including the 1980s TV show Married with Children and General Hospital, for which he and his team won two Emmy awards.
He and Doria Ragland divorced when Ms Markle was six years old.He and Doria Ragland divorced when Ms Markle was six years old.
Mr Markle, who has two children from his first marriage - Samantha and Thomas - filed for bankruptcy two years ago.Mr Markle, who has two children from his first marriage - Samantha and Thomas - filed for bankruptcy two years ago.
Ms Markle has previously said: "It's safe to say I have always been a daddy's girl - he taught me how to fish, to appreciate Busby Berkeley films, write thank you notes, and spend my weekends in Little Tokyo eating chicken teriyaki with vegetable tempura."Ms Markle has previously said: "It's safe to say I have always been a daddy's girl - he taught me how to fish, to appreciate Busby Berkeley films, write thank you notes, and spend my weekends in Little Tokyo eating chicken teriyaki with vegetable tempura."