Meghan Markle will have her future father-in-law, Prince Charles, walk her down the aisle at the royal wedding. Kensington Palace made the announcement on Friday (May 18) morning.
Meghan's father, Thomas, was supposed to walk his daughter down the aisle on Saturday (May 19). However, he suffered a heart attack last week and had to undergo heart surgery earlier this week. So, Meghan learned that he wouldn't be able to make it. The surgery came after Thomas' controversial deal with paparazzi was revealed.
“Ms. Meghan Markle has asked His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales to accompany her down the aisle of the Quire of St George’s Chapel on her Wedding Day,” the official palace statement said. “The Prince of Wales is pleased to be able to welcome Ms. Markle to The Royal Family in this way.” Read the message below.
A source told PEOPLE that Meghan asked Prince Charles at the last minute, once she learned of her dad's hospitalization. “It was Meghan’s wish and she is grateful for the Prince of Wales to be doing it,” the insider told the publication.
Moreover, in an unprecedented move, Meghan will make a bold, feminist statement at her wedding. She'll walk down to the chapel nave unescorted. She'll only be accompanied by her bridesmaids and page boys in this first part of the wedding procession. Prince Charles will then meet her when Meghan reaches the Quire. He will then walk her down the aisle to the foot of the altar, but will not give her away. Instead, Prince Charles will stand back and have Meghan approach Prince Harry by herself.
"No other royal bride in the UK has walked unescorted down the aisle at their wedding ceremony," CNN reports. "Markle's decision indicates that she wishes to assert herself as a strong, independent woman who is prepared to challenge royal norms."
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's royal wedding will be tomorrow (May 19) and it's sure to be a fairytale!
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