In a statement, the bride-to-be asks fans to give her father Thomas Markle 'the space he needs to focus on his health' as he's recovering from heart surgery.
- May 18, 2018
AceShowbiz - Meghan Markle has issued a statement confirming her father Thomas Markle won't be attending her wedding to British royal Prince Harry on Saturday, May 19.
Thomas told TMZ earlier this week that he wasn't fit to travel to England for his daughter's big day because he would be recovering from major heart surgery, and the former "Suits" actress confirmed the news in a statement issued by Kensington Palace on Thursday, May 17.
"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 statement read. "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 on Saturday."
However, Meghan seemed in good spirits as she was driven into Windsor Castle with Harry for their wedding rehearsal hours later. Harry's brother and best man Prince William and his wife Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge were also seen heading to Windsor.
Thomas, 73, had suffered a heart attack on May 8 and returned to hospital this week after experiencing chest pains, and he underwent an operation on Wednesday. He told TMZ that the doctors "will go in and clear a blockage, repair damage and put a stent where it is needed."
Thomas was "alert and coherent" after undergoing the procedure, telling TMZ he believed doctors had implanted three stents in his blood vessels.
It is not known who will now walk Meghan down the aisle, although the favorite is her mother Doria Ragland, who was pictured arriving at London's Heathrow Airport on Wednesday and being escorted to Kensington Palace. She reportedly met Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday.
Doria will accompany the bride in the car ride from Cliveden House Hotel, where mother and daughter will stay on the eve of the nuptials, to the ceremony at St. George's Chapel inside the castle.
