Prince Charles will walk Meghan Markle down the aisle on Saturday, after her father was forced to pull out of the big day due to health issues.
Kensington Palace announced in a statement on Friday that Meghan had personally asked her soon-to-be father-in-law to take on the important role, putting an end to speculation her mother Doria would fill in.
“Ms Meghan 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,” the statement read.
It comes just one day after Meghan confirmed her father Thomas Markle would no longer be able to make his way to England after undergoing medical treatment for a heart condition over the past week.
Tackling the intensely emotional situation head on, Meghan said she hoped her father could be given the space he need to heal.
“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,” she said in a statement released by the Palace.
“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.”
Meghan’s family has been hounded by the media since she and Prince Harry announced their engagement last November. While her half-brother, Thomas, Jr, and sister Samantha, have welcomed the attention and played up to it for their own advantage, her father says he only engaged with the paparazzi because he didn’t want to embarrass Meghan any further after they captured unflattering photos of him.
He was later caught staging photos of himself looking at photos of his daughter and Prince Harry online, as well as getting fitted for a suit and reading a book about British history. Samantha has since admitted she encouraged him to do it for an undisclosed amount of money.