'THEY WERE VERY FORGIVING'
Thomas Markle reveals Prince Harry and Meghan forgave him over staged paparazzi photos – and calls them a ‘serious mistake’
THOMAS Markle revealed today Prince Harry and Meghan Markle forgave him over the staged paparazzi pictures.
The 73-year-old admitted he made a "serious mistake" in choosing to set up the shots of him looking at the royal couple online and working out ahead of the wedding.
5
He told Good Morning Britain hosts Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid his daughter and Harry still wanted him to come to the wedding.
He explained: "I thought it would be a nice way of improving my look, but obviously that all went to hell.
"I feel bad about it, I apologised for it, it was a mistake. This was a presentation to me to change my image.
"They would take pictures of me grabbing a beer, taking the garbage out, buying a toilet and making a big deal out of it.
5
5
5
"I thought this would be a nice way of improving my look. But that was a mistake."
He said he "wished" he had been the one to walk Meghan into St George's Chapel, and revealed he cried as he watched Prince Charles step in on May 19.
The former lighting director, who lives in Mexico, was forced to pull out of the royal wedding with just days to go for a heart operation.
In the week running up to the big day he changed his mind several times over if he would be attending, before finally deciding he wouldn't be able to fly to the UK - after it was revealed he worked with paparazzi to stage pictures.
He added this morning: "I didn't do this for money, I did this to change my image. I was presented as a hermit hiding out in Mexico but obviously that was a mistake and went wrong.
"I realised it was a serious mistake. It's hard to take it back.
"I spoke to them both and apologised. I realised it was a serious mistake but it was hard to take it back. I had been seen as a negative for an entire year and I wanted to improve my look.
5
Thomas Markle talks about the moment he gave Prince Harry permission to marry his daughter on Good Morning Britain
Thomas Markle reveals on GMB Meghan has 'wanted children for a long time' and a baby with Prince Harry could be on the way soon
"They were very forgiving, it wasn't that difficult. Both Harry and Meghan were very forgiving about it."
"Meghan said 'everything is ready for you', Harry said 'I've got one of my military friends to take care of you when you're here' and it was all set. Everything was booked.
"The truth is that I couldn't get over the fact that that had happened. I've got a bit of a heart condition and this pushed me a little further to the point where I had heart palpitations and I had to go to the hospital. I had a heart attack."
The pictures were published earlier in the year in a number of newspapers and news websites showing Mr Markle in a series of Royal Wedding related activities, apparently unaware he was being snapped.
Mr Markle was pictured being measured for what was thought to be his wedding suit, looking at screen pictures of Ms Markle and Harry while in an internet cafe, and reading a picture book about Britain while having a coffee.
But it was revealed they were staged - before Mr Markle eventually pulled out of the wedding due to health issues.
MOST READ IN NEWS
The Duchess of Sussex's dad said today Meghan cried at the news, adding: "The unfortunate thing for me now is I'm a footnote in one of the greatest moments in history rather than the dad walking her down the aisle."
But said: "I was honoured. I can't think of a better replacement than someone like Prince Charles.
"It might have been a treat for him as well because he didn't have a daughter."
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at [email protected] or call 0207 782 4368. You can WhatsApp us on 07810 791 502. We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours.
Topics