Why did Prince Charles walk Meghan Markle down the aisle at the Royal Wedding and why didn’t her dad give her away?
PRINCE Charles walked Meghan Markle down the aisle at her wedding to Prince Harry.
The heir to the throne stepped into the breach after the American's dad pulled out of attending the Royal Wedding. Here's what we know about the arrangement.
Why is Prince Charles giving Meghan Markle away?
Prince Charles gave Meghan away at the wedding because her own father could not attend the service.
However, the bride entered St George's Chapel alone, and met her father-in-law-to-be halfway along the aisle.
Thomas Markle was slated to do the honours but threw the proceedings into chaos just a few days before the wedding by saying he wouldn't be coming.
He had planned to make the trip from Mexico, where he is spending his retirement, but on May 14 it emerged he had been struck down by a heart problem and pulled out of the ceremony after realising he might be too ill to make the trip.
The bombshell revelation came as he admitted he was paid to pose for staged paparazzi pictures sold to news outlets worldwide.
It had been rumoured that Meghan's mum Doria would walk her down the aisle but on May 18 Kensington Palace announced that the Prince of Wales would be doing the honours.
When did Meghan ask Charles to step in?
The statement from Kensington Palace came on the day before the wedding detailing Meghan's choice to stand in for her absent dad.
A palace statement read: "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."
Meghan entered the Chapel alone and walked about half the aisle by herself.
Charles joined her further down and escorted her from the end of the Nave to the altar, where Prince Harry was waiting.
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