‘So proud’: Harry on Prince Charles walking Meghan down the aisle

Prince Harry has opened up about the touching moment he asked his dad to walk Meghan down the aisle at their royal wedding in May.

Harry, 34, said Prince Charles, who celebrates his 70th birthday next week, didn’t hesitate to step in after Meghan’s father, Thomas Markle, was forced to pull out due to health issues. It was reported at the time that a heart operation meant the 74-year-old was unable to fly from Mexico to the United Kingdom for the wedding of the year.

In the documentary, Prince, Son and Heir: Charles at 70, which airs on BBC One in the United Kingdom on Thursday, Harry explains he thought his father knew he was going to be asked to step in for Thomas.

“I asked him to and I think he knew it was coming and he immediately said, ‘Yes, of course, I’ll do whatever Meghan needs and I’m here to support you’,” Prince Harry says in the documentary, according to People magazine. “For him that’s a fantastic opportunity to step up and be that support, and you know he’s our father so of course he’s gonna be there for us.”

Millions of royal fans were left touched as the young prince turned to his father and said, “Thank you Pa”, after Charles led Meghan to Harry’s side.

Read more: ‘Suited for Queen’: Writer’s intimate glimpse at Charles and Camilla’s marriage

Of the emotional moment, Charles’ wife, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, adds: “I think that was very touching, sitting where I was, you couldn’t hear what he said. But afterwards watching it on the television, I… I think it was a very… it was a lovely gesture.”

Harry and Meghan flew home to London from Auckland last week following their jam-packed tour of Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand. However, it seems the pair will only have a few days to recuperate, before heading into a busy week of engagements. Harry is set to visit the Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey on Thursday, before the royal couple attend Armistice Day this Sunday.

Read more: Doting Harry shares sweet photo of Meghan cradling her baby bump

The documentary, which marks Charles’ 70th birthday, features behind-the-scenes footage of the prince over the past 12 months, both at work and home. Film-maker John Bridcut speaks to those who know him best, including Her Royal Highness, the Duchess of Cornwall and the Dukes of Cambridge and Sussex.

Are you a fan of the royal family? Do you think Prince Charles did the right thing walking Meghan down the aisle?