Meghan’s father ‘set for surgery’ despite vow to travel to wedding
MEGHAN Markle’s father is reportedly due to undergo heart surgery today despite vowing to defy doctors and make it to his daughter’s big day on Saturday.
Thomas Markle, who says he is in hospital with chest pains after being exposed for colluding with the paparazzi, had planned to travel to Windsor Castle by Saturday amid serious concerns for his wellbeing.
But he told gossip website TMZ last night that he was now scheduled for heart surgery in the US this morning, which would not give him enough recovery time to attend the royal wedding.
Earlier yesterday, he appeared to reverse his pronouncement on Monday that he was withdrawing from the wedding for fear of embarrassing his daughter. Now he says Ms Markle had reiterated her love and support following disclosures about his behaviour. He told TMZ: “I hate the idea of missing one of the greatest moments in history and walking my daughter down the aisle.”
Ms Markle, he claimed, harboured “no ill feelings” towards him for the unfortunate episode, in which he was exposed for working with the paparazzi despite Kensington Palace’s repeated insistence that he wished to keep his private life under wraps.
The decision leaves plans for the royal wedding in further disarray, irreversibly overshadowing the marriage of Harry and Ms Markle.
His inclusion in the wedding was confirmed for the first time only on May 4, with the 73-year-old saying he planned to fly from his home in Mexico to Britain to meet Queen Elizabeth and all senior members of the royal family ahead of Saturday’s big event.
Instead, on Monday he disclosed he had pulled out of walking Ms Markle down the St George’s Chapel aisle “because he doesn’t want to embarrass the royal family or his daughter”.
Kensington Palace then issued a plea for calm, with a spokesman saying: “This is a deeply personal moment for Ms Markle in the days before her wedding.
“She and Prince Harry ask again for understanding and respect to be extended to Mr Markle in this difficult situation.”
Less than 24 hours later, Mr Markle appeared to have changed his mind, telling TMZ that he wanted to travel to Windsor despite his poor health.
In comments that have not been confirmed or denied by
the palace, Mr Markle said his daughter had sent him messages telling him that she loved him and was concerned about him.
It is understood that neither she or her husbandto-be Prince Harry hold him accountable for his decision to work with the paparazzi, believing him to have been placed under intolerable pressure by their presence.
Doria Ragland, Ms Markle’s mother, is flying to Britain to support the couple, and is expected to meet the queen this week as planned.
She is expected to be the first choice to walk Ms Markle down the aisle
Asked about the impact of his actions on the royal family, Mr Markle is reported to have said: “I don’t think the queen is thinking about what I’m doing. Of course I’d walk her down the aisle,” he is alleged to have said.
“This is a historic moment. I’d like to be a part of history.”
The palace did not comment on the update, and is unlikely to confirm whether Mr Markle will attend the wedding or walk his daughter down the aisle until the last minute to avoid further embarrassment. (© Daily Telegraph, London)