The bride's father refused to attend the wedding of the British prince.
Mr. Thomas Markle will not walk his daughter down the aisle for fear of embarrassing the British royal family after the scandal of selling photos to the press.
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When she was young, Meghan Markle was very close to her father. Photo:Tim Stewart News |
Prince Harry, 33, grandson of the QueenElizabeth II will marry American actress Meghan Markle, 36, at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle on May 19.
However, the pageTMZYesterday, Meghan's father, Thomas Markle, said he had decided not to attend the wedding that is attracting global attention.
He suffered a heart attack a week ago and did not want to embarrass his daughter or the royal family after it was revealed that he had staged paparazzi photos and sold them to newspapers.
Thomas admitted to being offered interviews for up to $100,000 and being ambushed by paparazzi who took pictures of him looking sloppy while buying beer.He then agreed with them to stage shots of him looking at pictures of his daughter and the prince on his computer or trying on a suit, in the hope that they would improve his image.
"This is an incredibly private time for Meghan in the days leading up to the wedding," Kensington Palace said in a statement yesterday. "She and Prince Harry once again ask for everyone's understanding and respect for Mr Markle during this difficult situation."
Meghan's parents are divorced.Last week, thHarry's press secretary said heThomas - former Lighting Director for television plays and sitcoms,will play an important role and see off her daughter on her big day.
He is also expected to meet the Queen, the Prince and other senior members of the British royal family this week.
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Prince Harry and his fiancée Meghan at an event in January. Photo:AP |
Both Prince Harry and his brother William have declared their dislike of the press, after their mother, Princess Diana, was killed in a car crash in Paris in 1997 while fleeing from paparazzi.
Kensington Palace also restricted press access to Harry's wedding and tightly controlled the release of wedding details to the media.
If Mr Thomas is not present, Meghan's mother, Doria Ragland, 61, will likely walk her daughter down the aisle in her ex-husband's place. She will sleep with her on the night before the wedding.at a luxury hotel near the wedding venue.
