After Meghan Markle’s father Thomas Markle was unable to fly to the UK for the wedding due to ill health, it is learnt that Meghan has asked the Prince of Wales, Prince Charles to accompany her down part of the aisle as she marries Prince Harry. She has opted not to be given away.
Meghan will apparently walk the first half of the aisle of St. George’s Chapel solo, surrounded by her young page boys and bridesmaids. At the second half of the aisle, called the Quire, it will be her father-in-law-to-be, Prince Charles, who will accompany her for the final walk. The ritual of the ‘giving away’ of the bride will not be part of the wedding ceremony.
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Apparently, a bond of mutual affection has sprung up between Prince Charles and Meghan Markle. When she suggested to Prince Harry that his father be the one to walk her down the aisle on their wedding day, Prince Charles was glad to do the honours.
The statement from Kensington Palace reads: “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.”
This puts an end to the speculation about who would do the honours at the wedding. Initially, it was reported that Meghan’s mother Doria Ragland, who is a yoga instructor and social worker, would walk her daughter down the aisle. However, now it is learnt that Ms. Ragland will accompany Meghan on the car journey to the chapel and will then take her place in the congregation.
More drama had followed when it was confirmed that Meghan’s father, who was supposed to do the honours, would not attend her wedding. It ended days of speculation over the 73-year-old Thomas Markle’s health and the controversy over whether he had staged a series of paparazzi-style pictures.
In fact, today Prince Harry and Ms. Markle will accompany Ms. Ragland as she meets the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh for the first time at Windsor Castle for afternoon tea.
All’s well that ends well, we guess!
