Other brides have been escorted by women

While at first it may be unusual for a bride to be accompanied up the aisle by a woman, there is precedent in royal history.

Queen Victoria supported her daughters Princess Helena, in her 1866 wedding, and Princess Beatrice in 1885. Victoria herself was given away by the Duke of Sussex, her uncle, in 1840, and Princess Margaret was given away by the Duke of Edinburgh in her 1960 wedding. In each of those cases, however, the bride’s father – Prince Albert, Edward, Duke of Kent, and George VI respectively– had passed away.

There is no protocol preventing Ms Markle from choosing her mother, a member of the Royal family, or a friend. She could also walk alone, should she wish.

Hugo Vickers, royal biographer, said: “It’s her wedding. I think she should be able to do what she likes.”