London 18 May 2018
Harry and Meghan arrive for tea with the Queen and a rehearsal with the wedding party at Windsor Castle - hours after the bride-to-be confirms her father will NOT be attending her big day Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are today meeting the Queen for tea at Windsor hours after the star was forced to confirm that her father has pulled out two days before the royal wedding. The American-born actress smiled as she arrived at Windsor Castle but her royal fiance looked far more serious as it emerged she is still said to be 'tearful and embarrassed' about the chaos Thomas Markle has caused. The couple's Range Rover was escorted by police as they sped past crowds of well-wishers and up the famous Long Walk to have tea with the Queen and oversee the last preparations for their wedding day. Harry's brother William and his wife Kate were also seen leaving Kensington Palace for Windsor ahead of rehearsals this afternoon. Meghan's mother Doria, who is set to give her daughter away in her father's absence, is also believed to be travelling separately to the castle to meet the Queen for the first time hours after she is believed to have been introduced to Prince Charles, Camilla, Kate and William. Her ex-husband Mr Markle is in hospital today following heart surgery days after he embarrassed his daughter with a series of 'staged' paparazzi photographs that threatened to overshadow her big day.
of support. Please know how much Harry and I look forward to sharing our special day with you on Saturday'. Her poignant words came as thousands watched a wedding rehearsal in Windsor today where soldiers including Harry's former regiment, the Household Cavalry, marched through the streets. 'It'll take a long time to heal': Meghan Markle's father says he's 'ok' after undergoing heart surgery Thomas Markle (pictured this week) is recovering after he had three stents Thomas Markle (pictured this week) is recovering after he had three stents
After days of silence Meghan was forced to make an extraordinary and moving statement confirming he will no longer walk her down the aisle at St George's Chapel on Saturday.
Meghan Markle's father is 'alone and upset' in hospital today after undergoing heart surgery.
She said: '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’. The former Suits star, 36, added: 'I would like to thank everyone who has offered generous messages
Thomas Markle is recovering after he had three stents implanted in arteries following a heart attack at home in Mexico eight days ago and said: 'It will take a long time to heal'. Mr Markle told TMZ last night: 'I'm okay. Staying in the hospital a few more days. Not allowed to get excited' and his children said he is 'heartbroken' to miss the wedding.
Mr Markle said his doctors needed to 'go in and clear blockage, repair damage, and put a stent where it is needed' during the operation. His daughter Samantha, who has a poor relationship with Meghan, claims her father is 'upset and alone' following his surgery. But there is some confusion over his care as sources close to the Markle family said he had already been diagnosed with a heart condition and was due to undergo planned surgery to fit a stent, the same operation Prince Philip underwent in 2011, early next week – on his return from London. An Ascot Landau carriage of the type set to carry the couple was also paraded past the castle but Harry and Meghan are at Kensington Palace today with her mother Doria Ragland, who is now expected to give away her daughter. Preparations for the wedding have been thrown into chaos after Meghan's father repeatedly changed his mind about attending the event until his ill health made the trip the UK impossible. Prince Harry's bride-to-be, 36, has still only shared texts with Thomas Markle but has told him she loves him and forgives him for the scandal
he caused on the eve of the biggest day of her life. Her father is said to be 'alone and upset' in hospital after having three stents put in his heart. The 73-year-old has spoken to TMZ journalist Sean Mandell from his bed overnight and he said: 'Meghan was embarrassed and tearful in private. She is holding up, from what I've been told. It has been a tearful and a trying time for her'. When asked if their relationship can recover he said: 'I do get the sense he [Thomas] does want to be reunited with Meghan. She's no stranger to having to deal with hard moments in her life'. Mr Markle may not be discharged before his daughter's wedding after he had three stents implanted in arteries following a heart attack at home in Mexico eight days ago. He said: 'It will take a long time to heal. I'm okay. Staying in the hospital a few more days. Not allowed to get excited'. Today a wedding rehearsal started in Windsor without the bride and groom. Mr Mandell told Good Morning Britain: 'She
[Meghan] called him Monday when the story first broke. But he did not have his phone on him and then she text him saying she loved him, that she was concerned over his health and bore him no ill will over the controversy of the fake photos. 'He [Thomas] told us we wanted to be there and had a change of heart on Tuesday after speaking with Meghan over text and he felt he had pulled out prematurely. 'He had originally felt it would be better for him not to be at the wedding because it would cause further embarrassment, he thought, for the royal family, and for Meghan, which is the last thing he wanted. 'He realised, I'm a father, and I want to be there for my daughter, and I want to be part of history.Ultimately his health prevented him from being able to do that. 'But ultimately his health prevented him from doing that'. He added: 'Meghan is by all accounts is a very strong women. From what Thomas has told me there's just love being conveyed there and a gentle approach between them when they speak.'