19 May 2024 , 09:10
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Back in 2018, it was reported that Kensington Palace was completely caught off guard when they were "blindsided" by Meghan Markle's dad Thomas Markle.
Thomas Markle Snr, who was 73 at the time, remained in North America while his daughter Meghan prepared for her wedding which would take place just mere days away. He had been expected to walk her down the aisle, but four days before the wedding it was claimed he no longer planned to give her away.
This bombshell came after Thomas admitted staging photos for the paparazzi amid reports he had suffered a heart attack. It was then claimed that the Royal Family was allegedly caught "flatfooted" when the news that he would not be attending broke, TMZ reported at the time.
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Meghan and her father Thomas have been estranged for many years (TIM STEWART NEWS LIMITED)The Palace had allegedly been planning a security detail, accommodation, and access to events for the father of the bride. At the time, Thomas claimed that he had not spoken to Meghan since reports emerged that he had decided not to attend the wedding.
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Mr Markle told TMZ he had been "popping Valium" to ease his chest pains after suffering a heart attack, brought on by emotional upset, and he could return to the hospital. Reports suggested that some plans for the wedding were thrown into turmoil with Mr Markle deciding to stay at home.
Harry and Meghan released a statement at the time to address reports that Mr Markle wouldn't attend the ceremony. A spokesman for Kensington Palace said: "This is a deeply personal moment for Ms Markle in the days before her wedding.
"She and Prince Harry ask again for understanding and respect to be extended to Mr Markle in this difficult situation."
Because Meghan's father Thomas did not attend his daughter's nuptials, and because there was no invite for her Air Force veteran uncle Michael, the then-Prince of Wales offered to walk her down the aisle.
Her reply was not quite what the now-King expected when he offered: "Can we meet halfway?", she asked, according to a biography of The Queen by Robert Hardman. The response "was an indicator that this was no blushing bride, but a confident, independent woman determined to make a grand entrance on her own", the author noted in the tome.
A version of this story was first published on May 15, 2018.