Prince Charles to walk Markle down the aisle
WINDSOR, England — The future king of England will walk Meghan Markle down the aisle when she marries his son Prince Harry — a gesture of welcome to the American actress as she joins the royal family. The news came as thousands of well- wishers began descending upon Windsor amid final preparations for Saturday’s royal wedding.
Union Jacks have been unfurled, security barriers and police patrols are in place, and fans were already moving in Friday to capture the prime viewing positions in Windsor, a castle town 25 miles west of London.
Tens of thousands of spectators, including many Americans who have come in support of Markle, will be traveling to Windsor to soak up the atmosphere. They will be subject to airport- style security scanners and bag searches.
The barricades aim to deter attackers using vehicles, such as the one on Westminster Bridge in London last year. Sniffer dogs and mounted patrols are also out and about.
Kensington Palace said Friday that Markle asked the heir to the British throne to offer a supporting elbow at the wedding in St. George’s Chapel after Markle’s father was unable to attend due to illness. Prince Charles “is pleased to be able to welcome Ms. Markle to the Royal Family in this way,” the palace said.
Buckingham Palace also announced that the Duke of Edinburgh, the husband of Queen Elizabeth II, will attend the royal wedding, just a few weeks after undergoing a hip replacement operation. The 96- year- old has largely retired from public duties and it had not been clear whether he would be well enough to attend.
The last- minute announcements came after days of speculation about how the royals would handle the possible absence of Markle’s father.
Markle’s mother, Doria Ragland, was the bookies’ favorite to escort the bride, but Charles has a lifetime of experience in appearing at large- scale public events amid intense scrutiny.
“I think some people will be disappointed — people who were looking forward to the historic moment of a woman walking her daughter down the aisle, and a woman of mixedrace heritage from America. It would have made an historic shot,” said royal historian Robert Lacey.
“But of course, Meghan has already arranged for her mother to drive up here to take her up to the castle. And for Prince Charles, the future king, to walk a bride down the aisle, what more could Meghan dream of?” Lacey added.