‘Emotional and joyful’: Meghan’s dad has to watch on TV – at 4am his time

IT WAS one of the most poignant moments in a day filled with heightened emotions, as Prince Charles smiled at his future daughter-in-law, offered his arm and walked her down the aisle. Sadly, of course, Meghan’s own father Thomas had to pull out of the ceremony at the 11th hour. After The Mail on Sunday last week revealed he secretly colluded with paparazzi to pose for photographs, Mr Markle, right, said he was so ‘embarrassed’ he would no longer walk his daughter down the aisle. He later changed his mind, but ultimately pulled out because of ill health.

The retired lighting director instead watched the ceremony on television with friends in California, where he is recovering from a heart operation.

Mr Markle – who has yet to meet his new son-in-law – told US gossip website TMZ that the wedding, at 4am local time, made him feel ‘emotional and joyful’.

He added: ‘My baby looks beautiful and very happy. I wish I were there. I wish them all my love and happiness. My baby is a Duchess, and I love her so much. When you watch your child get married, every thought goes through your mind, every memory from the first day she was born, the first time I held her.

‘The service was beautiful and it’s history. I will always regret not being able to be there and not being able to hold my daughter’s hand. ‘Now I pray Harry and Meghan can go on a nice honeymoon and rest and relax, and that all of my relatives will just shut up about everything.’