Updated May 17, 2018, 1:45 p.m. PT: Meghan Markle issued an official statement just two days before her wedding that confirmed in no uncertain terms that her father, Thomas Markle, will not be at the wedding.
Via Kensington Palace’s Twitter account, Markle writes, “Sadly, my father will not be attending our wedding. I have always cared for my father and hope he can be given the space he needs to focus on his health. I would like to thank everyone who has offered generous messages of support. Please know how much Harry and I look forward to sharing our special day with you on Saturday.”
A statement from Ms. Meghan Markle: pic.twitter.com/TjBNarmuBU
— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) May 17, 2018
Updated May 15, 2018, 4:00 p.m. PT: It’s official – Meghan Markle’s father Thomas will not be attending the royal wedding this weekend. He broke the bad news to TMZ saying “[Doctors] will go in and clear blockage, repair damage and put a stent where it is needed,” on Wednesday, May 16 at 7:30 p.m.
Due to the emergency procedure, Thomas will not be able to fly to London for the big affair.
Updated May 15, 2018, 12:00 p.m. PT: Now it looks like Thomas Markle, father of Meghan Markle and almost-father-in-law of Prince Harry, is having a change of heart about whether or not he wants to go to the royal wedding on May 19.
People magazine reported on Tuesday that Markle was once again speaking to the press about his plans to attend (just a day after we all thought he wasn’t) and how he didn’t want his recent heart attack to keep him from participating in one of the most historic, important days of his and his daughter’s lives.
“I hate the idea of missing one of the greatest moments in history and walking my daughter down the aisle,” he reportedly said. “Of course I’d walk her down the aisle. This is a historic moment. I’d like to be a part of history.”
This statement comes hours after Meghan apparently tried to get in touch with her father once news of his heart attack and plans to stay in the United States emerged. Thomas also claims Meghan expressed to him, once they finally did touch base over text message, that she wasn’t upset about the staged paparazzi photos that he apologized for taking — the implication being she wanted to make up before her wedding day.
It’s still unclear whether Thomas will actually fly to the United Kingdom to attend the wedding and walk his daughter down the aisle, because, per TMZ, he was admitted to the hospital once again on Monday evening with chest pains. TMZ‘s report indicates doctors aren’t giving him the all clear despite his repeated attempts to get permission to check out.
For now, his desire to be there on Meghan’s wedding day is just that: a simple desire. We’ll have to wait and see if he’ll actually make it to the wedding on Saturday.
Original story, published May 14, 2018, 3:10 p.m. PT: It’s been touch-and-go where Meghan Markle’s relationship with her father, Thomas Markle, is concerned. But even with the various highs and lows they’ve gone through (especially in recent months as she’s planned her wedding), it was believed that the two could come together on May 19 for Markle’s wedding to Prince Harry. Now, just six days before Markle says I do, news has emerged that Thomas will be unable to attend the wedding.
More: Meghan Markle’s Dad Will Attend the Royal Wedding Despite Rumors
The reason, according to Hollywood Life, is quite grave: Thomas checked himself into the hospital on May 8 after suffering a heart attack. Hollywood Life also notes that he now thankfully OK and has checked out. But it appears he’s going to stay home, rest and recuperate rather than tempt fate at perhaps the most high-profile event of 2018.
People magazine reported on a statement issued by Markle and her fiancé, Prince Harry, in the wake of the news about Thomas: “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.”
A report from TMZ announcing Thomas’ heart attack implies there might be another reason he’s not going: to prevent further tension or embarrassment for Markle. This could be due to the fact that it came out only recently that the paparazzi photos that were taken of Thomas were actually staged. Thomas told TMZ that he was tired of being portrayed negatively by the paparazzi (previous photos show him looking very casual while out and about, sometimes disheveled) and wanted to rehab his image. He was apparently approached by a paparazzi outlet and offered an undisclosed sum of money to stage the photos. Thomas has since apologized for his actions, telling TMZ they looked “stupid and hammy.”
More: How to Watch Prince Harry & Meghan Markle’s Wedding
Just a day after the truth emerged about the photos, Markle’s half-sister, Samantha Markle, took responsibility for the photos. “The bad press over my father… is my fault. The media was unfairly making him look bad so I suggested he do positive photos for his benefit and the benefit of the royal family,” she wrote in a now-deleted tweet.
According to Us Weekly, Meghan Markle had opinions about the staged photos. As a source told the outlet, “Meghan is upset and disturbed by the entire ordeal and just wants to move past it. She doesn’t want to let anything ruin her day and is trying to keep focus on the [royal wedding] weekend.”
More: Everything We Know About Meghan Markle & Prince Harry’s Wedding So Far
Markle and her father have a bit of a fraught personal history, but it seemed that would have been laid to the side in an attempt to celebrate this happy occasion. Thomas was even supposed to fly to London this week to meet members of the royal family in private, and he would have helped Markle from the car and walked her to the chapel; that will no longer be happening. Additionally, a private meeting may happen at a later date, but that’s unconfirmed.
Regardless of this recent drama, we hope Thomas gets well soon. Missing your daughter’s wedding, regardless of the drama, is no good at all.
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