When Thomas Markle pulled out of the royal wedding, King Charles stepped in with a touching offer to walk Meghan down the aisle — but her reply reportedly left the then-Prince of Wales surprised

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The Duke and Duchess of Sussex tied the knot in Windsor eight years ago today(Image: Getty Images)

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle may have tied the knot in a picture-perfect wedding ceremony almost eight years ago to the day, but the run-up to the nuptials was anything but straightforward. From rows over tiaras and Meghan’s dispute with the Princess of Wales over bridesmaids’ dresses to a host of logistical headaches, those behind the scenes planning the nuptials certainly had their work cut out.

Yet when the day finally arrived on May, 19, 2018, the royals gathered at St George’s Chapel to witness the couple exchange vows, with Meghan turning heads in her breath-taking Givenchy wedding gown. However, there was one notable absence from Meghan’s side of the family — her father, Thomas Markle.

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Harry and Meghan are celebrating their eighth wedding anniversary today(Image: Getty Images)

With less than a week to go before the wedding, he announced he would not be attending, leaving the bride without anyone to walk her down the aisle.

Fortunately, Meghan’s future father-in-law, Charles, stepped up to the plate, telling his daughter-in-law he would be honoured to escort her to the altar. Yet according to one book, her response to this heartfelt offer caught the then-Prince of Wales somewhat off guard.

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.”

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Charles walked Meghan down the aisle after Thomas Markle pulled out(Image: POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Since that day, much has changed for Harry and Meghan, from welcoming their two children Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, to stepping back from their royal duties and relocating to California. Along the way, their relationships with the King, Prince William and Princess Kate have become increasingly strained.

The rift between Harry and his royal relatives is thought to have deepened following the release of his divisive memoir Spare, in which he disclosed a physical altercation with William and alleged that Charles failed to embrace him following the death of his mother, Princess Diana. Harry also levelled criticism at his family in his and Meghan’s explosive Netflix documentary series.

Last year, Harry claimed the King refuses to speak to him over his legal battle regarding his UK security arrangements, though he expressed a desire for ‘reconciliation’ with his family. Speaking in a BBC television interview after losing the latest round of his court battle, Harry said “this, at the heart of it, is a family dispute”.

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Harry and Meghan’s relationship with the Royal Family has soured since their wedding(Image: POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

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 security arrangements shifted in 2020 when he and Meghan relinquished their roles as working royals and relocated to California in pursuit of financial and personal freedom, and he indicated the Royal Family and officials hoped his realisation of the increased safety risk “would force us to come back”.

After a lengthy legal battle in 2025 to have his security reinstated, which he lost, it emerged that he wrote to Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood shortly after her appointment and submitted a formal request for a risk assessment to the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec).

This assessment is understood to be being carried out, with reports suggesting earlier this year that Harry was on the verge of having his armed police protection restored when he visits the UK and felt confident about the outcome of the assessment.

The status of Harry’s relationship with his father remains largely unclear, as while the pair met for a private tea in Clarence House last September when the Duke was in the UK for the WellChild awards, the father and son have not seen each other since.

Charles was recently in the United States for a whirlwind state visit, but due to his engagements taking place on the East Coast of the country, did not see his son, daughter-in-law or grandchildren, who reside in the West Coast in California.

SOURCE: https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/royals/meghan-prince-harry-charles-wedding-37146120