Meghan Markle’s parents to meet the Queen in build-up to royal wedding
Meghan Markle’s parents will meet the Queen ahead of the royal wedding, with both the bride’s mother and father having “important roles” on the big day, Kensington Palace has said.
The palace revealed Thomas Markle would walk his daughter down the aisle and Doria Ragland will accompany the American star by car as she leaves for Windsor Castle ready to marry Prince Harry on 19 May.
As Kensington Palace disclosed more details of the royal wedding, they also announced Ms Markle would not be having a maid of honour and that her bridesmaids and pageboys will all be children.
Jason Knauf, the palace’s communications secretary, said: “Ms Markle will not be having a maid of honour. She has a very close-knit group of friends and did not want to choose between them.”
Prince George and Princess Charlotte will be at the wedding and are expected to be among the young helpers, but names have yet to be confirmed.
Newlyweds Harry and Ms Markle will also not be going on honeymoon straight away. They will carry out their first engagement as a married couple the week after their wedding.
Ms Markle has already spoken of her desire to “hit the ground running” as she becomes a full-time royal after the wedding.
The bride and groom will spend the night before the wedding apart and Harry’s first glimpse of the dress will be as Ms Markle walks up the aisle.
“That tradition is very important to everyone,” Mr Knauf said of the dress.
The couple also wanted to make sure the prince’s late mother Diana, Princess of Wales, who was killed in a car crash in 1997, will be remembered on the day, the palace said.
Diana’s three siblings – Earl Spencer, Lady Sarah Mccorquodale and Lady Jane Fellowes – will all be present. Lady Jane will give a reading.
The Duchess of Cambridge will attend, but Prince Louis, who will be less than four weeks old, will stay at home.