More facts about the royal wedding! A palace official gave a comprehensive briefing on Friday, May 4, regarding the upcoming royal wedding between Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, dispelling many rumors, speculation, and recent conversation surrounding the bride and groom—especially regarding Markle’s relationship with her parents, Doria Ragland and Thomas Markle.
“The first thing I would like to share is that Prince Harry and Ms. Markle are very much looking forward to welcoming Ms. Markle’s parents to Windsor for the wedding,” the spokesperson shared. “Mr. Thomas Markle and Ms. Doria Ragland will be arriving in the UK in the week of the wedding, allowing time for Prince Harry’s family, including The Queen, The Duke of Edinburgh, The Prince of Wales, The Duchess of Cornwall, and The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, to spend time with them before the big day.”
TORONTO, ON – SEPTEMBER 30: Doria Radlan and Meghan Markle are seen at the Closing Ceremony on day 8 of the Invictus Games Toronto 2017 at the Air Canada Centre on September 30, 2017 in Toronto, Canada. The Games use the power of sport to inspire recovery, support rehabilitation and generate a wider understanding and respect for the Armed Forces. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage)
Markle’s half brother Thomas Markle Jr. generated attention this week after an outlet published his handwritten letter to Prince Harry beseeching him to cancel the wedding. In it, Thomas Jr. called out Markle’s seemingly strained relationship with her family, and said she didn’t even invite her own father to the wedding.
Of course, the latest announcement counters these claims. “Both of the bride’s parents will have important roles in the wedding,” the spokesperson added. “On the morning of the wedding, Ms. Ragland will travel with Ms. Markle by car to Windsor Castle. Mr. Markle will walk his daughter down the aisle of St George’s Chapel. Ms. Markle is delighted to have her parents by her side on this important and happy occasion.”
The groom’s side will also involve several key members of the family in different wedding day capacities. “In addition to having the support of The Queen, his father The Prince of Wales, and his brother Prince William as Best Man, Prince Harry is also keen to involve his mother’s family in his wedding,” the statement noted. “All three siblings of Diana, Princess of Wales will be in attendance and Lady Jane Fellowes will give the reading. Prince Harry and Ms. Markle both feel honoured that Lady Jane will be representing her family and helping to celebrate the memory of the late Princess on the wedding day.”
Harry’s communications secretary also reiterated that the couple wanted to include the public in some way to their wedding. “We said from the outset that Prince Harry and Ms. Markle were keen to make sure that members of the public would have the opportunity to feel part of the celebrations on their wedding day,” the spokesperson noted. “This is their way of expressing their gratitude for the messages of support they have received from around the UK, the Commonwealth, Ms. Markle’s home country of the United States, and right around the world.”
As previously reported, Markle has opted to go without a maid of honor for the event. However, her best friends will be joining her in an unofficial capacity the morning of the wedding.
