As Prince Harry and Meghan Markle prepared to tie the knot seven years ago, the bride’s dad Thomas Markle pulled out of attending the lavish nuptials – and according to a book, Meghan’s response to an offer by King Charles was a little unexpected
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle may have married in a fairytale wedding ceremony, but the lead-up to the big day was certainly dramatic. From clashes over tiaras, Meghan’s row with the Princess of Wales over bridesmaids’ dresses and other logistical problems. Those organising the nuptials would have been left with a headache.
But when the day arrived, all of the royals packed into St George’s Chapel to see the couple exchange vows while Meghan wowed in her stunning Givenchy wedding gown. But Meghan had one major relative missing from the ceremony, her dad, Thomas Markle. With less than a week to go before the big day, he announced he would not be attending, leaving the bride with nobody to walk her down the aisle.
Luckily, Meghan’s future father-in-law, Charles, then offered to step in, telling his daughter-in-law he would be honoured to escort her to the altar of the chapel. But according to a book, her reply to this gesture was somewhat unexpected by the then-Prince of Wales.
Writing in Queen of Our Times, author Robert Hardman says: “The reply, according to one friend, was not quite what he was expecting: “Can we meet halfway? “Here was an indicator that this was no blushing bride, but a confident, independent woman determined to make a grand entrance on her own.”
Since that day, a lot has happened for Harry and Meghan from welcoming their two children Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet to quitting their royal roles and leaving the UK for California. And the couple’s relationship with the likes of the King, as well as Prince William and Kate has come under strain.
The bond between Harry and royal relatives is believed to have suffered since the publication of his controversial memoir Spare, where he revealed a physical fight between him and William and claimed Charles didn’t hug him after his mother Princess Diana died. Harry also criticised his family in his and Meghan’s bombshell Netflix series.
And earlier this month, Harry claimed the King will not speak to him because of his legal fight over his UK security, but that he does he want a ‘reconciliation’ with his family. In a BBC television interview after losing the latest round in his court battle, Harry said “this, at the heart of it, is a family dispute”.
He said, “Of course, some members of my family will never forgive me for writing a book. Of course, they will never forgive me for lots of things. But you know, I would love reconciliation with my family.” He also said there was “no point in continuing to fight anymore.”
Harry’s level of security changed in 2020 when he and Meghan stepped down as working royals and moved to California for financial and personal freedom, and he suggested the royal family and officials hoped his realisation of the increased safety risk “would force us to come back”.
The duke lost a Court of Appeal challenge over his security arrangements while in the UK and said in the TV interview he “can’t see a world in which I would be bringing my wife and children back to the UK”. He failed in his appeal against the dismissal of his High Court claim against the Home Office, over the decision of the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec) that he should receive a different degree of protection when in the UK.
“But 2020, when that decision happened, I couldn’t believe it. I actually couldn’t believe it,” said Harry. He added: “I thought, with all the disagreements and all of the chaos that’s happening, the one thing that I could rely on is my family keeping me safe. And not only did they decide to remove my security in the UK, but they also signalled to every single government around the world not to protect us.”
