HERE COMES THE BRIDE
Who walked Meghan Markle down the aisle at the Royal Wedding?
MEGHAN Markle married Prince Harry in May 2018 in a beautiful ceremony in Windsor.
But who walked her down the aisle? Here’s everything you need to know about the Duchess’s big day.
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Who walked Meghan Markle down the aisle?
After much speculation about who would give the future duchess away, Prince Charles stepped up to fill in the role traditionally performed by the bride’s father.
In one of the most moving moments in the whole ceremony, Meghan entered the vast chapel alone, with her long white dress being carried behind her.
Her face was covered by a beautiful white lace veil, the same one worn by Princess Diana on her wedding day.
To the sound of a solo choir singer, Harry is seen tearing up as his bride-to-be enters the main part of the chapel and links arms with his father, Prince Charles.
Charles, who is second in line to the throne, walked the remainder of aisle with Meghan before passing her hand to Harry as the ceremony began.
The moving moment was one of the most significant elements of the day, as speculation had been growing over who would give the actress away.
Only days before the big event did Meghan announce her father Thomas Markle Snr would not be attending the wedding due to health reasons.
Some thought Meghan’s mum Doria would take on the role of walking her down the aisle, but in the end it was Charles who did the honours.
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Why didn’t her father give her away?
Meghan confirmed on May 17 that her dad would "sadly" not be at her wedding to Prince Harry.
Bride-to-be Markle said she hoped he could be "given the space he needs to focus on his health".
Her 74-year-old dad Thomas Markle Sr initially wanted to walk his daughter down the aisle at St George's Chapel.
Thomas planned to make the trip from Mexico, where he is spending his retirement, to Windsor.
But just days before the ceremony, US media reported he would not be attending as he was suffering health problems.
TMZ said Thomas had suffered a "heart attack" and pulled out of the wedding.
Meghan's father said he fell ill a week prior and had now realised he might be too ill to make the trip.
On May 14 he said he was going to check back into hospital after suffering more chest pains.
In a further twist, on May 15 Thomas then that he DID want to attend the wedding – although admitted his doctors might not let him travel due to recent health scares.
However, the US outlet later reported that his hopes were in vain, with Meghan's dad set to undergo heart surgery.
Reportedly admitting that his attendance on the big day was now "impossible", he said: "They [doctors] will go in and clear blockage, repair damage and put a stent where it is needed."
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More on Meghan Markle
On May 16, it was reported that Thomas had undergone "successful" surgery and was "alert and coherent" following the procedure.
Kensington Palace released a statement on May 18 confirming that Prince Charles would walk Meghan down the aisle.
When Thomas watched the Royal Wedding he told the US press that he thought Meghan looked "beautiful" and wished he could have been there.
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