Prince Charles to walk Meghan Markle down the aisle

Kensington Palace says Prince Charles will walk Meghan Markle down the aisle when she marries Prince Harry, replacing her father, who won't be able to travel from the U.S. to Windsor just west of London due to health issues.

Couple to be married Saturday at St. George's Chapel in Windsor

The Associated Press ·
Prince Charles, seen May 10 in Athens, will walk Meghan Markle down the aisle during her wedding to Prince Harry on Saturday in Windsor just west of London. (Petros Giannakouris/Associated Press)

Kensington Palace has announced that Prince Charles will walk Meghan Markle down the aisle at her wedding to his son, Prince Harry, on Saturday in Windsor just west of London.

The palace said Friday that the bride asked her future father-in-law, the heir to the throne, to perform the honour at St George's Chapel in Windsor on Saturday.

The palace said the Prince of Wales "is pleased to be able to welcome Ms. Markle to the Royal Family in this way."

    The announcement comes a day after it was announced Thomas Markle would not be able to travel from the U.S. to attend the wedding due to health problems.

    Meghan, the American actress who spent time in Toronto while filming the series Suits, appealed for people to give her father "the space he needs to focus on his health" amid reports he had a heart procedure.

    Members of the Royal Family are shown at the traditional Christmas Day church service at St. Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham, England, on Dec. 25. From left to right in front: Prince Charles, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. From left to right in the back: Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, Price William, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry. (Alastair Grant/Associated Press)

    The bride's mother, Doria Ragland, will attend.

    Separately, Buckingham Palace announced Friday that the Duke of Edinburgh, the 96-year-old husband of Queen Elizabeth, will also be at the wedding.

    Prince Philip, who retired from public duties last year, underwent hip surgery recently but has generally remained in good health.

    Royal wedding Q&A: What can we expect for Meghan and Harry? From the dress to what happened with Meghan's dad, CBC's Thomas Daigle put your questions to the royal editor of The Sunday Express, Camila Tominey.