Thomas Markle reveals how Prince Harry asked for permission to marry Meghan
Mr Markle also said he talked politics with Prince Harry over the phone — and that the Royal had argued that he should give US President Donald Trump a chance.
London: Thomas Markle has spoken publicly for the first time since missing the wedding of his daughter, revealing his disappointment at missing the event and how Prince Harry asked him for permission to marry Meghan.
Mr Markle also said he talked politics with Prince Harry over the phone — and that the Royal had argued that he should give US President Donald Trump a chance.
He told broadcaster ITV he had several phone conversations with Prince Harry, including one in which the Prince asked for permission to marry his daughter.
Mr Markle said the Trump presidency was discussed at least once: “Our conversation was I was complaining about not liking Donald Trump, he said ‘give Donald Trump a chance’. I sort of disagreed with that.” Mr Markle said he also asked his sonin-law about Britain’s 2016 decision to leave the European Union and got the impression Prince Harry was comfortable with Brexit.
“I think he was open to the experiment,” Mr Markle said.
Prince Harry’s press office declined to comment on the televised interview, which could raise eyebrows because senior Royal figures are scrupulously careful not to comment publicly on domestic or international political affairs.
Mr Markle, who had been scheduled to walk his daughter down the aisle, missed the Royal wedding in May due to heart problems.
He told ITV he was “doing much better” and that he regretted missing the big event.
The 73-year-old Markle, who watched the wedding from California, said he was “very proud” but that “the unfortunate thing for me now is I’m a footnote in one of the greatest moments in history rather than the dad walking her down the aisle”.
He said he thought the couple, now known as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, would probably have children soon.
“She’s wanted children for a long time,” he said.