Marie Claire
  • Celebrity
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Culture
  • Power
  • Nice Talk
  • Style at Large
  • More
    • Politics
    • Career & Money
    • Health & Fitness
    • Power Play
    • Travel
    • Promo Codes
    • Food & Cocktails
    • About Us
    • Subscribe
    • Sex & Love
  • Newsletter SIGN UP TO OUR NEWSLETTER
  • Marie Claire
    Marie Claire Newsletter

    The ultimate daily digest for women of power, purpose, and style.


    By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

    You are now subscribed

    Your newsletter sign-up was successful


    Want to add more newsletters?

    Marie Claire Daily

    Delivered daily

    Marie Claire Daily

    Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.

    Marie Claire Self Checkout

    Sent weekly on Saturday

    Marie Claire Self Checkout

    Exclusive access to expert shopping and styling advice from Nikki Ogunnaike, Marie Claire's editor-in-chief.

    Maire Claire Face Forward

    Once a week

    Maire Claire Face Forward

    Insider tips and recommendations for skin, hair, makeup, nails and more from Hannah Baxter, Marie Claire's beauty director.

    Livingetc

    Once a week

    Livingetc

    Your shortcut to the now and the next in contemporary home decoration, from designing a fashion-forward kitchen to decoding color schemes, and the latest interiors trends.

    Homes & Gardens

    Delivered Daily

    Homes & Gardens

    The ultimate interior design resource from the world's leading experts - discover inspiring decorating ideas, color scheming know-how, garden inspiration and shopping expertise.


    An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
    Trending
    • Winter Shoe Trends
    • Slick-Backed Buns
    • OleHenriksen
    • Holiday Candles
    • Statement Red Socks
    1. Celebrity
    2. Royals

    Meghan Markle's Dad May Walk Her Down the Aisle After All

    He's reportedly changed his mind (again) about attending the royal wedding.

    Rachel Epstein's avatar
    By Rachel Epstein
    Published 15 May 2018 In News

    When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

    Face, Hair, Eyebrow, Facial expression, Skin, Chin, Nose, Forehead, Smile, Lip,
    (Image credit: Getty Images)
    • Facebook
    • X
    • Pinterest
    Share this article
    Join the conversation
    Follow us
    Add us as a preferred source on Google
    Subscribe to our newsletter

    Thomas Markle, Meghan Markle's father, has reportedly changed his mind about wanting to attend the royal wedding. However, now the 73-year-old is having health issues that could prevent him from having a choice in the matter. Thomas told TMZ in a new interview that he believes that staging the paparazzi photos of himself was "stupid" and now "hates the idea of missing one of the greatest moments in history and walking my daughter down the aisle."

    RELATED STORIES

    Street fashion, Hat, Fedora, Fashion, Beauty, Lip, Fashion accessory, Headgear, Suit, Uniform,

    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    Meghan's Half-Sister Wants Her Dad at the Wedding

    Hair, Hairstyle, Skin, Beauty, Eyebrow, Shoulder, Nose, Chin, Lip, Cheek,

    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    Meghan Markle's Dad Wants Her Mom to Give Her Away

    According to TMZ, Thomas is "back in the hospital after experiencing serious chest pains and doctors are performing a battery of tests on him. His heart was 'seriously damaged' after his heart attack a week ago."

    "Meghan tried calling him Monday, but he was not near his phone. She followed up with a text telling him she loved him and was concerned about his health. He says she harbors no ill feelings toward him for making a deal with a paparazzi agency to stage photos of him getting ready for the wedding."

    Latest Videos FromMarie Claire
    Watch full video here:

    If the doctors let him out of the hospital, Meghan's dad will now apparently fly to the U.K. to accompany her on her special day. Otherwise, he may have to miss out on what he calls "a historic moment in history" that he'd "like to be a part of."

    To recap: On May 4, Kensington Palace announced Meghan's father would walk her down the aisle on her big day. But then, over the weekend news broke that Thomas Markle received money from the paparazzi to take photos of him surfing the web for pictures of his daughter and Prince Harry, getting measured for a suit, and working out ahead of the big day. After that news went public, Thomas decided yesterday not to go to the wedding "because he doesn't want to embarrass the royal family or his daughter." Meghan has reportedly been very upset, and Kensington Palace released the following statement:

    You may like
    • A headshot of Meghan Markle wearing gold earrings, with a serious expression Meghan Markle Responds to the "Sickening" Allegations Against Her Father
    • Meghan Markle holding Prince Harry's arm wearing LA Dodgers hats Meghan Markle “Is Taking One for the Team” For Prince Harry By Moving to Britain
    • Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, has red hair and a short beard and wears a suit and tie and attends the Kyiv Security Forum, in Kyiv on April 23, 2026 Prince Harry Refuses to "Pull Focus From the Royal Family"

    "This is a deeply personal moment for Ms. Markle in the days before her wedding. She and Prince Harry ask again for understanding and respect to be extended to Mr. Markle in this difficult situation."

    RELATED STORIES

    Street fashion, Fashion, Hat, Headgear, Lip, Fedora, Outerwear, Fashion accessory, Cap, Style,

    (Image credit: Coleman-Rayner)

    Meghan Markle's Dad Staged His Paparazzi Photos

    Veil, Ceremony, Wedding, Marriage, Bride, Event, Wedding dress, Bridal clothing, Tradition, Formal wear,

    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    So, Who Will Walk Meghan Down the Aisle Now?

    Marie Claire Newsletter

    The ultimate daily digest for women of power, purpose, and style.

    By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
    Explore More
    Weddings Meghan Markle Thomas Markle
    Rachel Epstein
    Rachel Epstein
    Social Links Navigation

    Rachel Epstein is a writer, editor, and content strategist based in New York City. Most recently, she was the Managing Editor at Coveteur, where she oversaw the site’s day-to-day editorial operations. Previously, she was an editor at Marie Claire, where she wrote and edited culture, politics, and lifestyle stories ranging from op-eds to profiles to ambitious packages. She also launched and managed the site’s virtual book club, #ReadWithMC. Offline, she’s likely watching a Heat game or finding a new coffee shop. 

    Read more
    A headshot of Meghan Markle wearing gold earrings, with a serious expression
    Royals Meghan Markle Responds to the "Sickening" Allegations Against Her Father
    By Kristin Contino
    Prince Harry and Meghan Markle wearing sunglasses and blue shirts walking outside
    Royals Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Are Busy Planning a California Christmas
    By Kristin Contino
     
     
    Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at Christmas
    Royals Meghan and Harry Will Focus on One Relative This Christmas
    By Amy Mackelden
    Prince Harry and Meghan Markle walking in front of a large sign on a building that says CLUB
    Royals Prince Harry and Meghan Markle "Never Agreed" to Their Working Arrangement
    By Kristin Contino
     
     
    Latest in Royals
    Prince William and Princess Kate stand behind King Charles while all three look serious and wear black
    Royals How Kate and William Are Ditching "Institutional Secrecy"
    For Halloween, Prince Louis picks up a pumpkin at the patch in an adorable throwback snap, taken by mom Princess Kate
    Royals Prince Louis's Mischievous Side Is on Display in Throwback Snap
     
     
    The exterior of Anmer Hall on the Sandringham estate
    Royals Prince William Reacts to Some Terrifying News About His Country House
    Meghan Markle & Prince Harry
    Royals Prince Harry and Meghan Markle "Snuck Out" for Halloween Before Going Public
     
     
    Latest in News
    Prince William and Princess Kate stand behind King Charles while all three look serious and wear black
    Royals How Kate and William Are Ditching "Institutional Secrecy"
    Zoe Kravitz wears leopard print shoes and capri pants to film with Jamie Dornan in New York City
    Celebrity Style Zoë Kravitz Confirms Leopard Print Shoes Are a Neutral
     
     
    Charli XCX and Hailey Bieber attend Kendall Jenner's Halloween birthday party
    Celebrity Style Charli XCX Trials BDSM for Kendall Jenner's Birthday Party
    For Halloween, Prince Louis picks up a pumpkin at the patch in an adorable throwback snap, taken by mom Princess Kate
    Royals Prince Louis's Mischievous Side Is on Display in Throwback Snap
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Marie Claire
    RSS
    • About us
    • Contact Future's experts
    • Contact us
    • Advertise Online
    • Newsletter
    • Terms and conditions
    • Privacy policy
    • Cookies policy
    • Careers
    Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google

    Marie Claire is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

    © Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.