Meghan’s dad keeps everyone guessing
MEGHAN Markle’s father overshadowed his daughter’s wedding to Prince Harry by sowing confusion about whether he would walk her down the aisle or snub the British royal family by pulling out of the intricately planned celebration at the last minute.
As royal fans convened on the genteel English town of Windsor, where Harry is due to wed the American actress on Saturday, the role of her father, Thomas Markle, was still unclear after he issued a flurry of statements to an American news website.
On Monday, he was reported by Los Angeles celebrity website TMZ.com to be unable to attend due to a heart attack and embarrassment over whether he had staged pictures with a paparazzi photographer.
But the same website the next day reported a change of mind: he would go to be part of history.
TMZ later quoted him as saying the trip was off due to his need for immediate heart surgery.
Markle, who lives in Mex- ico, had been due to walk his daughter down the aisle at Windsor Castle’s St George’s Chapel in front of 600 guests, including Britain’s senior royals and a smattering of celebrities.
Britain’s Sun newspaper scrambled to update its front page to reflect what it called the “Royal sensation” of Thomas Markle’s absence under the headline: “I’ve got heart op today.”
Maria Scott, 46, who had travelled from Newcastle to camp out in Windsor to get a glimpse of the couple on Saturday, said: “It must be heartbreaking for them as her father can’t come.
“It must be really upsetting, but I’m sure her mum will do a fine job.”
Harry, grandson of Queen Elizabeth and sixth in line to the throne, and Markle, a star in US TV drama Suits, will tie the knot at the castle, home to the royal family for nearly 1 000 years.
On Windsor’s streets, hundreds of tourists and journalists mingled with dedicated royals fans – some draped with UK flags and holding photographs of Harry and Markle – while armed police patrolled.
Some fans are sleeping out on the street until the wedding, seeking to secure the best positions.
Donna Werner, who flew 4 800km from Connecticut to be in Windsor, said: “I want them to come through those gates. I want them to look at me, wave and smile.
“That will make it all worthwhile,” said Werner, 66, camped outside the castle, dressed head to toe in a mix of British and US flag-themed attire, including a shirt that read “Prince Harry, I’m still available. Last chance!”
More than 100 000 people are expected to descend on the town on Saturday.
They will have to clear airport-style security before being allowed near the venue, police tactical commander Superintendent Jim Weems said. – Reuters