ROYAL DELIGHT
Meghan Markle’s mum Doria Ragland meets Prince William, Kate Middleton, George and Charlotte ahead of the Royal Wedding and will have tea with The Queen today
MEGHAN Markle will put her troubled family drama behind her as her mum today meets the Queen.
The actress' mum Doria Ragland jetted into London to save the day after Royal Wedding preparations were thrown into chaos when dad Thomas Markle pulled out of walking Meghan down the aisle.
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Doria, 61, will today join the Queen for afternoon tea with her daughter and future son-in-law - the yoga instructor having already met Prince Charles and Camilla yesterday, as well as Prince George and his little sister Princess Charlotte.
But despite the drama of this week, it seems that yesterday's Royal Wedding rehearsal went well, with Meghan pictured beaming at her future husband as they left Windsor.
What we know so far…
- Meghan Markle will be walked down the aisle by Prince Charles, Kensington Palace announced today
- Meghan confirmed her dad Thomas Markle would not be at her wedding as he continues to recover from major heart surgery
- Thomas Markle had earlier said he wouldn’t be attending for fear of embarrassing Meghan over staged paparazzi photos
- The 73-year-old suffered a heart scare last week which he has reportedly blamed on an open letter by his son Tom Jr – who has since said he’s “mortified”
- Samantha Markle, Meghan’s half-sister, slammed claims Kensington Palace is supporting their dad in hospital before she was injured in a car crash on Wednesday
- Police have since said they could not find any evidence of the crash
- Doria met with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge a Royal Wedding rehearsal and is expected to sit down for afternoon tea with the Queen today
The smitten couple - who will tonight spend the night apart ahead of the big day - wore matching white shirts and sunglasses as they left in their Range Rover.
It came just hours after Meghan yesterday had to release an unprecedented statement, confirming in an emotional note that her father would not be able to walk her down the aisle after undergoing heart surgery.
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WATCH LIVE: Huge crowds in Windsor as the town prepares for the Royal Wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
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Meghan yesterday confirmed: "Sadly my father will not be attending our wedding.
"I have always cared for my father and hope he can be given the space he needs to focus on his health.
"I would like to thank everyone who has offered generous messages of support. Please know how much Harry and I look forward to sharing our special day with you on Saturday."
But despite the drama, the couple are now gearing up for the ceremony, with family including Kate Middleton - who was yesterday seen for the first time since the birth of Prince Louis - having headed to Windsor for wedding rehearsals yesterday.
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Meghan Markle confirms dad Thomas will NOT be at Royal Wedding
The Royal Wedding plans had been thrown into chaos when 73-year-old Thomas Sr announced he wouldn't be attending - after being left embarrassed over staged paparazzi photos.
While Meghan reportedly begged her father to attend - saying she still loved him - her reclusive dad eventually pulled out.
Pals flew into the UK to support Meghan, with best friend Jessica Mulroney arriving this week.
The Canadian socialite's children are among who will be bridesmaids and page boys during the ceremony.
But Meghan's estranged family members - including her nephews and sister-in-law - also landed in the UK despite not being invited to the wedding.
DELICIOUS DELIGHTS: Recipe for Royal Wedding Cake revealed
THE baking of the Royal Wedding cake is underway - with the mammoth dessert taking six bakers to make.
Kensington Palace today released the recipe for the cake just 24 hours before Prince Harry and Meghan Markle tie the knot.
The ingredients include:
- 200 Amalfi lemons
- 500 organic eggs from Suffolk
- 20kgs of butter
- 20kgs of flour
- 20kgs of sugar
- 10 bottles of Sandringham Elderflower Cordial
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Rehearsals in Windsor ahead of the Royal Wedding between Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
TMZ reporter Sean Mandell says that Meghan Markle was left in tears over dad controversy
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Meghan has endured constant criticism from her family who claim she has not supported her dad - including from outspoken half-sister Samantha Markle.
Samantha lashed out overnight, saying she had even been forced to wire Thomas Sr cash to survive.
She has previously taken the blame for the staged paparazzi shots, which Meghan's dad later described as "hammy" and "stupid".
Earlier yesterday, a journalist for US website TMZ - which has published a number of exclusive interviews with Thomas Sr this week - said the bride's father had been hopeful of attending but would be prevented by ill-health.
Bakers show how they are already preparing lemon and elder wedding cake for Royal Wedding
Meghan Markle’s family – from dad Thomas and half-sister Samantha Grant to the nephews
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Reporter Sean Mandell, who spoke to Thomas Sr after his operation yesterday, also revealed Meghan's heartache her father could not attend.
Speaking on Good Morning Britain, he said: "She is holding up, from what I've been told.
"It has been a tearful, at times, and a trying time for her."
He added: "I do get the sense that he does want to be reunited with Meghan, because he told us that he wanted to be there.
"He had a change of heart on Tuesday of this week actually, that after speaking with Meghan over text that he felt that he had prematurely maybe made the decision to pull out of the wedding."
Thomas Sr has previously blamed his health woes on his son Thomas Markle Jr over an open letter he wrote to Prince Harry - branding the wedding as a "fake fairy tale".
He has since has backtracked on his claims - saying his sister was the "best thing to happen to the royals".
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TMZ reporter Sean Mandell reveals Meghan Markle's dad will be in hospital for 'another few days'
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MOST READ IN NEWS
Thomas' absence means Doria will be the only direct family member of Meghan's at the wedding.
Yesterday, it was revealed Meghan would have a number of children as her bridesmaids and pageboys - including Prince George and Princess Charlotte.
Kensington Palace confirmed Meghan had been depending on her close-knit group of friends while planning the wedding, saying: "They have all been actively involved in helping her prepare and will be there with her to celebrate on the day."
These are the strict rules that Meghan Markle will have to follow when she joins the royal family
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