Meghan Markle’s father wants to be ‘part of history’ despite health woes
Meghan Markle’s father has reportedly said he now wants to walk his daughter down the aisle – however, he has been admitted to hospital with serious chest pains.
Thomas Markle’s apparent change of mind comes after Ms Markle contacted him amid widespread speculation over his attendance, celebrity news website TMZ reported.
The US actress’s father told the site: “I hate the idea of missing one of the greatest moments in history and walking my daughter down the aisle. This is a historic moment. I’d like to be a part of history.”
The former lighting director is in hospital where doctors are conducting tests after he complained of serious chest pain after an apparent heart attack last week.
But he appears determined to make his daughter’s big day and told TMZ if doctors discharge him from hospital he will travel to England.
Ms Markle and Prince Harry are both said to be deeply concerned for Mr Markle’s welfare and are likely to put that above the tradition of a father walking his daughter down the aisle. Mr Markle became embroiled in controversy after allegedly staging paparazzi photographs of himself in the run-up to the royal nuptials at Windsor Castle on Saturday.
The day after the Mail of Sunday reported that the pictures, which appeared in a number of newspapers, were mocked-up, Ms Markle’s father dropped out of the wedding, according to TMZ, telling the site he did not want to “embarrass the Royal Family or his daughter”.
But on Monday he missed a call from his daughter and she later told him she loved him in a text message and was concerned about his health.
Despite her parents divorcing when she was six, Meghan has remained close to her father. When she lived with her mother Doria Ragland in Los Angeles, the actress spent a great deal of time with Mr Markle, who now lives in Mexico.
Mr Markle told TMZ Meghan has no ill feelings towards him over the alleged collusion with the paparazzi agency.