Dad is staying at home after photo stunt
BY CHRISTOPHER BUCKTIN MEGHAN Markle’s father won’t walk her down the aisle after a shock decision to pull out of the royal wedding.
Thomas Markle, 73, reportedly fears his presence would cause his daughter and the Royal Family embarrassment – after he was caught staging paparazzi photos.
Kensington Palace had insisted on Sunday that Thomas, who lives in Mexico, would still walk Meghan down the aisle on Saturday despite the pictures scam.
Thomas told US website TMZ he suffered a heart attack last Tuesday but checked himself out of the hospital for the wedding. But reports in the US said he did not catch his flight to London yesterday.
His son Thomas Jr said: “Meg will be frantic, she’ll want to know how he is. I’m deeply concerned about him.
“As much as he 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.”
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.”
Meghan’s half-sister Samantha Markle yesterday claimed the photo stunt it was her idea.
The pictures reportedly sold across the world for up to £100,000 but she insisted her motive was not financial.