MEGHAN’S DAD IS NOT COMING
Heart attack claim, then he says he doesn’t want to ‘embarrass’ his girl
THOMAS Markle has pulled out of the royal wedding so as not to embarrass his girl.
It was reported he “deeply regrets” staging photos for paparazzi and fears it could spoil Meghan’s day. He also said he had a heart attack last week.
His son Thomas Jr said: “He will not want to cause any embarrassment to Meghan.”
THOMAS Markle’s shock decision to pull out of the royal wedding with just days to go will have thrown Meghan into turmoil, his son said.
The 73-year-old reportedly fears his presence at the ceremony so soon after being caught staging paparazzi photos would cause his daughter and the Royal Family major embarrassment.
Kensington Palace had insisted on Sunday that Thomas would be walking Meghan down the aisle before she tied the knot with Prince Harry at Windsor Castle, despite the pictures scam.
And he claimed he suffered a heart attack last Tuesday but checked himself out of the hospital for the wedding.
Reports in the US said last night he did not catch the flight he was due on to London yesterday.
Son Thomas Jr, 51, said: “Meg will be frantic, she’ll want to know how he is. I’m deeply concerned about him. As much as he CULPRIT Samantha and our front page yesterday was dreading all eyes being on him he will not want to cause any embarrassment or deflect attention away from Meghan and Harry’s day.
“He’ll be devastated not to be going but also relieved.”
A Kensington Palace spokesman said: “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.”
Thomas told US website TMZ he had suffered a heart attack, but his condition last night was unknown.
He had vowed to apologise to Meghan, 36, and the royals over the staged photos with US-based British photographer Jeff Rayner. The shots came after he claimed he had been harassed by snappers.
Reports in America said Thomas admitted the shots, near his home in Rosarito, Mexico, look “stupid and hammy” and he “deeply regrets” the episode. The pictures included ones of him looking at internet photos of Meghan and Harry, 33, and being measured for his wedding suit.
They reportedly sold across the world for up to £100,000,
Meghan’s half-sister Samantha Markle yesterday claimed the stunt was her idea.
But she insisted her motive was not financial. She said: “I’m entirely the culprit. I said to him to show the world, ‘I’m getting in shape and getting healthy.’ I suggested it to benefit him and the Royal Family. It was not money-motivated.”
It was yesterday announced Meghan and mum Doria will stay at Cliveden House Hotel in Taplow, Bucks, on the banks of the River Thames the night before the wedding.
There was no mention of Thomas.
Harry is to stay 17 miles away at Coworth Park in Ascot, Berks, with best man and brother Prince William.