Thomas Markle, 73, plans to give Meghan Markle away despite a leg injury, says his family.

He will attend the wedding at Windsor in May despite not been seen in public since the relationship began.

Thomas’s estranged son Tom Jnr, 51, said: “Dad never liked the limelight, but since the news came out about Meghan and Harry he’s become a total recluse.

"I haven’t seen him in years. 

"He hates the attention Meghan’s romance has brought on to him.

“He loves her but hates the idea of being in the spotlight.

“Dad loves Meghan more than anything.

"Meghan has always been her Daddy’s princess and he will be there when she marries her real-life prince.”

Thomas was declared bankrupt in September 2016, with £24,000 debts.

He is a retired TV lighting director who worked on major US shows like Married With Children and General Hospital and won an Emmy for the latter in 2011.

Meghan’s uncle and Thomas’s brother Michael, 78, said: “Thomas feels happy and excited about the engagement.

"He and Meghan have a good relationship.

"They talk weekly so she keeps him up to date.”

Harry has spoken to his future father in law.

Meghan said: “He’s talked to my Dad a few times but he hasn’t been able to meet him just yet.”

He has met her yoga teacher mother Doria Radlan, 61.