Meghan Markle's Father Will No Longer Be Attending Her Wedding Following His Paparazzi Picture Debacle
This is why we can't have nice things.
As if planning a royal wedding wasn't stressful enough...
Meghan Markle's father told TMZ he will no longer be walking his daughter down the aisle on her wedding day because "he doesn't want to embarrass the royal family or his daughter." The news comes just five days shy of Markle's wedding to Prince Harry.
Over the weekend, the Mail on Sunday reported Thomas Markle had staged the previously circulated paparazzi photos that showed him preparing for his daughter's upcoming nuptials by reading a book on Britain, getting fitted for a suit, and looking at photos of Meghan and Harry online.
Mr. Markle says he went along with the paps who orchestrated the photos because he thought the pics would show him in a more flattering light. He told TMZ he "figured there was no harm in it and it would help recast his image," but now he thinks the photos are "stupid and hammy" – we, for one, thought they were kind of endearing. Mr. Markle does, however, rebuff the insinuation his motivations were purely financial.
Meghan's father also revealed to TMZ that he suffered a heart attack less than a week ago, but checked himself out of the hospital in anticipation of the wedding – we guess prior to the paparazzi picture debacle he was still planning to attend the nuptials despite his heart attack.
It was only announced earlier this month that Thomas Markle would walk his daughter down the aisle at St George’s Chapel.
"Both of the bride’s parents will have important roles in the wedding," read The Palace's official statement. "On the morning of the wedding, Ms. Ragland will travel with Ms. Markle by car to Windsor Castle. 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."
Given Meghan's estranged relationship with her father, it wasn't a guarantee that Thomas Markle would have any involvement with the royal wedding. Instead, many speculated Markle's mother, Doria Ragland, would be the one to escort Meghan on her big day – which will likely be the case now.
