Meghan Markle has asked Prince Charles to walk her down part of the aisle after learning that her own father would not be making the royal wedding for health reasons, according to The Telegraph.
It was a bittersweet moment for the "Suits" actress, who made her first solo statement issued by the palace, but which contained the less-than-joyous news that Thomas Markle was undergoing heart surgery on the same day as her wedding and would not be present.
"Sadly, my father will not be attending our wedding," she said, per People.
"I have always cared for my father and hope he can be given the space he needs to focus on his health," she added.
Instead, the Prince of Wales will only accompany the "Suits" star part of the way down the aisle at St George's Chapel, although he will not be giving her away and she will walk with no one by her side for the first part.
Prince Charles will meet his future-daughter-in-law at the halfway point of the aisle and taker her arm for the final steps, The Telegraph noted, but the traditional moment of "giving away" will be omitted from the ceremony.
A source told The Telegraph that the two have formed an affectionate bond and that it was Meghan Markle's idea to ask the Prince of Wales to accompany her down the aisle.
It seems as if Meghan Markle has slotted in comfortably enough with the royal family.
When she and Prince Harry first started dating and their relationship was made public, the actress became the subject of public harassment, but Prince William was quick to jump to her defense.
Shortly after his brother released a statement requesting privacy, The Duke of Cambridge followed suite with his own statement agreeing with Prince Harry.
"It is not right that a few months into a relationship with him that Ms. Markle should be subjected to such a storm," he said. "This is not a game—it is her life and his."
© 2026 Newsmax. All rights reserved.