Meghan Markle's Father Won't Give Her Away
Meghan Markle's father, Thomas Markle Sr., will not be attending the royal wedding following a reported heart attack and subsequent surgery. The bride confirmed the news in a statement on Thursday, which reads:
"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.
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."
She did not comment directly on Markle Sr.'s health condition, which has so far only been directly reported by TMZ.
Up until a week ago, Meghan's father had been planning to be there at St. George's Chapel in Windsor on Saturday. In a press briefing on May 4, Kensington Palace confirmed, "Mr. Markle will walk his daughter down the aisle of St George's Chapel. Ms. Markle is delighted to have her parents by her side on this important and happy occasion."
On Friday, Kensington Palace confirmed that Prince Charles would be the one to accompany his soon-to-be daughter-in-law down the aisle of St. George's.
While this situation must certainly be difficult for Markle, especially given the drama in the days leading up to her wedding, it will not be the first time a royal bride has been given away by someone other than her father.
In May of 1960, Princess Margaret walked down the aisle alongside her brother-in-law Prince Philip. But in that case the Duke of Edinburgh gave her away at her Westminster Abbey wedding to Antony Armstrong-Jones because Margaret's father, King George VI, had passed away eight years earlier.
And further back in history, Queen Victoria gave several of her daughters away, given that their father, Prince Albert, died years before their weddings. Here's a newspaper clipping describing the processional of her daughter Beatrice:
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