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Who is walking Meghan Markle down the aisle at the Royal Wedding? Here’s why Prince Charles is giving her away
MEGHAN Markle's wedding to Prince Harry is TODAY, and traditionally the father of the bride "gives her away" to her husband.
But following the news that Thomas Markle won't be there when his daughter marries her prince, we take a look at who's walking her down the aisle.
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Who will walk Meghan down the aisle?
Thomas Markle was originally slated to walk his daughter down the aisle on May 19.
But, on May 14, US media reported Meghan's father would not be attending as he was suffering health problems.
That news came shortly after he admitted accepting money to pose for paparazzi pictures in the run-up to the big day.
In a further twist Thomas then that he DID want to attend the wedding – although admitted his medical condition may prevent him doing so.
He said: "I hate the idea of missing one of the greatest moments in history and walking my daughter down the aisle."
While Thomas Sr has since undergone heart surgery, which is said to have been "successful", Kensington Palace confirmed he will not be attending his daughter's nuptials over the weekend.
On May 18, 2018, Kensington Palace confirmed that Prince Charles will walk Meghan down the aisle at the Royal Wedding – although he won't "give her away" in the traditional sense.
Instead, the bride will enter St George's Chapel alone, and meet her father-in-law-to-be halfway along the aisle.
Who else was in the running?
Doria Ragland
It was speculated that Meghan's mother Doria would fill the role as she is known to get on well with her daughter and her husband to be.
She is expected to travel in the car to the church with Meghan on her big day and was also present at the closing ceremony of last year's Invictus Games.
However, it was earlier reported that the Royal Family were not keen on having a woman fill the traditionally male role.
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Prince William
Prince William was also in the running to fill in the role.
When Princess Margaret married Antony Armstrong-Jones in 1960, her brother-in-law Prince Philip walked her down the aisle, as her father, King George VI, had passed away.
But given that William is already Harry’s best man, he is otherwise occupied during the day.
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Prince Philip
Prince Philip was also a possible option, but given his recent hip replacement he was an unlikely choice.
It has now been confirmed that the Duke of Edinburgh will be attending the Royal Wedding on May 19.
Meghan Markle
Meghan could have opted to walk down the aisle by herself, but given the traditional nature of the ceremony, this is possibly the least likely scenario.
What is the tradition?
Normally, the father of the bride walks his daughter down the aisle.
This is due to the old-fashioned tradition of "giving his daughter away", but is still observed in modern ceremonies.
The father should remain on his daughter’s left side, as the bridegroom is supposed to be her "right hand man".
Traditional wording at a wedding is for the father to be asked: "Who gives this woman to be married to this man?"
And the usual response is "I do" but more recently answers such as "Her mother and I do" or "Her family and I do" have been given.
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Who normally gives the bride away at Royal Weddings?
In April 2011, at the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton, Kate was walked by her father, Michael, on the day.
Similarly, the Earl of Spencer walked his daughter Princess Diana (Harry's mother) down the aisle at her 1981 wedding to Prince Charles.
The Queen was given away by King George VI at her wedding to Prince Philip.
Who is Meghan Markle’s father?
Meghan’s father is an Emmy award-winning director of Dutch-Irish origin.
He was a lighting director who worked on Married with Children and General Hospital, and married Meghan’s mother, Doria Ragland, in 1979, but divorced in 1988.
He has spoken about Meghan and her fiancé Prince Harry, saying they are a “very good match”.
Meghan Markle’s dad Thomas to undergo heart operation and will miss Royal Wedding
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