Saturday, May 19 is supposed to be the happiest day of Meghan Markle’s life.
It’s the day she marries her love, Prince Harry, in front of her nearest and dearest at the royal wedding we’ve all been waiting for.
No doubt she’s envisioned her dad walking her down the flower-adorned aisle and St George’s Chapel in Windsor.
Now all that could be in question, after Thomas Markle stated he will not be attending his daughter’s royal wedding.
Thomas is pictured with a newborn Meghan.
Friends of the 73-year-old have stated that he’s pulled out of the prolific day following “staged paparazzi” photos were released online.
He had hoped the images would show a different side to him, but the dad-of-three admitted they looked “stupid and hammy”.
Following the fiasco, Thomas has since confirmed to TMZ that he is not going to his daughter’s wedding to Prince Harry, blaming the decision on him suffering a heart attack.
JUST IN: Thomas’ eldest daughter Samantha takes responsibility for the photo scandal
With just days before the wedding, Meghan and Harry want to do everything to turn this around.
Now a friend of the actress has shared with The Daily Mail that Meghan is standing “by her father and pleaded for understanding, saying he was ‘not in a good place’.”
“This is not what she wants. She obviously wants her dad there. And the idea of contemplating him not being there now is not something that she wants to have to do,” the friend explained.
“She and Prince Harry are begging for people to give him some space. They have been saying this for weeks, while trying to offer him support and help. He is clearly feeling under immense pressure. The concern for him is real and genuine.”
Adding, “He is a proud man who wants to be a father and not be taken care of, but it’s quite difficult. Everyone needs to pause and think what this is doing to them and, more importantly, to him. It is a really worrying, scary situation. The couple have been doing everything they can to help him.”
Thomas was due to walk his daughter down the aisle in just a few short days.
According to the insider, Prince Harry, 33, is also blaming himself for the sticky situation.
“He is devastated,” his friend shared.
“He feels like this is another thing in the wake of him… the problems he causes. He feels that anyone who gets associated with his life – this is the price they have to pay.”
“He wants to protect her and this is really difficult for him to swallow.”
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Harry,33, and Meghan, 36, will exchange vows at St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle on May 19.
In light of the situation, Meghan and Harry released a statement through Kensington Palace.
“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.”
WATCH: Meet the people Meghan calls “family” in the video below!
Everything we know about the Thomas Markle situation so far…
– Meghan Markle’s father is no longer going to the royal wedding after suffering a heart attack
