Thomas Markle Snr now wants to come to Meghan and Harry's wedding - if his health allows

Thomas Markle and daughter, Meghan
The circus surrounding the Royal wedding has taken yet another twist as it emerged Thomas Markle Snr has had a change of mind about attending. 

Meghan Markle's father was reportedly set to snub the Royals in the aftermath of the controversy surrounding paparazzi photographs. 

As bookmakers took odds on who would replace him to walk the bride-to-be down the aisle, Mr. Markle 

talked from his hospital bed about his desire to be present on the momentous day.

American gossip website TMZ claim to have talked to the former actress' father who is said to be recovering from a heart attack he suffered last week.

It is claimed Meghan, 36, tried to contact her father on Monday, but that he was away from his phone. She followed it up with a text, according to TMZ, saying she loved him and that there were no ill feelings. 

He told the website: "I hate the idea of missing one of the greatest moments in history and walking my daughter down the aisle. Of course I'd walk her down the aisle. This is a historic moment. I'd like to be a part of history." 

Mr. Markle is said to insisted if doctors allow him to leave his bed, he will risk his health to fly to England before Saturday.

The American former actress's half-sister, Samantha Markle, said she hoped Thomas Markle would be at the ceremony, but that he had faced an "unbelievable amount of stress".

She told Good Morning Britain that Mr. Markle had health issues, had had chest pains and had suffered a heart attack.

But it was not clear whether doctors had diagnosed a need for medical emergency.

"I think he wants to go to the hospital and get checked out," she said.

"I don't know as of today what his plans are, but there's a very real concern. I wanted to see him go (to the wedding), I didn't want him deprived of that.

"But clearly the priority should be whether or not it's safe for him to do that. That's where we're at."

Mr Markle became embroiled in controversy after he allegedly staged paparazzi photographs of himself in the run-up to the nuptials at Windsor Castle.

Celebrity website TMZ claimed Mr. Markle had initially decided not to go to the wedding for fear of embarrassing his daughter following the fallout from the pictures.

Kensington Palace declined to confirm whether Mr. Markle had pulled out of attending but appealed for understanding.

A palace spokesman said: "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."

Samantha Markle defended Mr. Markle, saying he had been pressurised into a dangerous situation because of press intrusion.

"He was living a very quiet, peaceful life, not as a recluse. He's a very intelligent man. He's been gregarious and worked in entertainment for 40 years," she said.

"He had spoken with press and was doing just that, but when he called me, panicking on the freeway because he's in a dangerous situation being followed by seven or eight cars, I think there have been examples in history of how dangerous that can be."

She earlier attempted to shoulder some of the blame when she tweeted that it was her idea for Mr. Markle to pose for what she described as "positive photos" in a bid to combat his "bad" portrayal in the press, but insisted it was not done for money.

Pictures published earlier this month in newspapers and websites showed Mr. Markle in a series of royal wedding-related activities such as being fitted for a suit, apparently unaware he was being snapped.

The Mail On Sunday newspaper reported that the images were staged and published CCTV footage stills of the US actress's father in the internet cafe with a photographer.

The former TV lighting director was due to meet the Queen and other royals with Meghan's mother, Doria Ragland, this week ahead of the wedding.

Meghan's father met her mother on the set of the US soap General Hospital, where he worked as a lighting director when she was a temp in the studio. They divorced when Meghan was six.

Ms Ragland is being tipped to step in and accompany her daughter down the aisle if Mr. Markle does not attend.
~The Telegraph

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