Meghan Markle will be walked down the aisle by
Prince Charles at tomorrow's
Royal Wedding,
Kensington Palace has revealed this morning, after her father
Thomas Markle Senior was forced to pull out due to ill health.
Meghan Markle asked the Prince of Wales to escort her down the aisle and
Prince Harry's father accepted, Kensington Palace has confirmed.
The Palace said Prince Charles was "pleased" to take on the responsibility of walking Meghan down the aisle at St George's Chapel and "welcome" her to the family.
The Prince Charles announcement comes after Meghan's father Thomas Markle Senior was forced to pull out of the Royal Wedding due to ill health.
In a statement Kensington Palace said: “Ms Meghan Markle has asked His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales to accompany her down the aisle of the Quire of St George’s Chapel on her Wedding Day.
“The Prince of Wales is pleased to be able to welcome Ms Markle to The Royal Family in this way.”
Prince Charles will meet Meghan halfway down the aisle and accompony her to Prince Harry - although he will technically not 'give her away'.
Earlier this week Meghan confirmed her father, who had been expected to walk her down the aisle, will not be at her wedding.
Meghan's father Thomas confirmed he suffered a heart attack after being caught working with the paparazzi to improve his image.
Meghan's mother Doria Ragland had been tipped to perform the role in place of her ex-partner while Prince William was also rumoued to be a candidate.
But unlike Ms Ragland, Prince Charles is vastly experienced at appearing at large-scale public events amid intense scrutiny.
He also performed the duty for Alexandra Knatchbull, the daughter of his close friend, Lord Brabourne, in 2016.
It is understood that Harry was involved in discussions with his fiancee about who should take on the important role on the big day.
Meghan said this week she hoped her father could be given space to focus on his health – and added a pointed message that ‘she cared’ for her father Thomas.
The move was welcomed by many royal supporters, including presenter Piers Morgan.
He tweeted: “Blimey! Prince Charles will walk Meghan down the aisle. Good for him coming to the rescue.”
Yesterday Ms Markle and Prince Harry held a rehearsal at St George's Chapel, and a military rehearsal of the procession took place in Windsor.
Yesterday afternoon Harry and Meghan were driven along the procession route with a police escort.
The duke and duchess were also spotted in Windsor for the dress rehearsal.
And today Megan's mother Doria Ragland will meet the Queen at Windsor Castle accompanied by her daughter and soon-to-be son-in-law.
Ms Ragland has been staying with Meghan and her future son-in-law in Kensington Palace since arriving in London.
After spending the afternoon with the Queen, Ms Ragland will go with Meghan to Clivedon House in Berkshire this evening as the soon-to-be newlyweds spend their final night apart before their nuptials.
Since arriving in the UK, Meghan’s mum has met other members of the Royal family including the Duke and Duchess and Cambridge as well as Prince George and Princess Charlotte.
She is also said to have charmed father-of-the groom Prince Charles and Camilla in London yesterday, before she set off for Windsor for rehearsals.
And the good news continued for the Royal family this morning with Prince Philip confirmed healthy enough to attend the big day.
Buckingham Palace confirmed the Duke of Edinburgh will attend the wedding just weeks after he underwent hip surgery in hospital.
The duke was spotted at the Royal Windsor Horse Show last week - the first public sighting of the Queen's consort since he left hospital.
Princess Anne left Kensington Palace this morning for Windsor to join Harry and Meghan just 12 hours after the Queen left Buckingham Palace.
Prince Charles is not the first time he has given a bride away - he also walked Princess Diana's goddaughter down the aisle in 2016.
Charles gave away family friend Alexandra Knatchbull at her wedding to Thomas Hooper. Her own father looked on - it was believed that some tensions had arisen between father and daughter at the time.
Royal fans camped outside Windsor Castle ahead of tomorrow’s wedding said they felt her soon-to-be father-in-law stepping in was a "nice gesture".
Decked out in the national colours, of both Britain and the United States, royal fans have been in full voice, bursting into song with renditions of I'm Getting Married In The Morning, beneath blue skies and pleasant sunshine.
Leslie Haynes, from Washington, said: "I was surprised actually. I knew that Prince Charles was in the running.
"I just assumed it would be her mother. But it was Meghan's approval and choice and so we support that, and, as we say, the next King of England is going to walk her down the aisle!"
The 58-year-old, who is camping overnight at a spot opposite the castle, said she was "somewhat" disappointed that Ms Markle's mother, Doria Ragland, would not accompany the bride to the altar.
She said: "But I have to say that it's her choice so we're happy for her. She is going to be the happiest woman in the world tomorrow so how could we be disappointed about that?"
Margaret Phipps, 25, from Texas, said: "She has such a close relationship with her mum, so I think it is surprising to some people.
"But I think it's a nice gesture. He (Charles) doesn't have a daughter that he'd ever be able to walk down the aisle.
"And it just sort of shows her transition into the royal family.
"She's really becoming a part of that family with him kind of acting as the father figure in situations, so I personally think it's nice."