ENGLAND — The cake is frosted. The choir is warmed up. Everything is ready to go for the long-awaited royal wedding, especially since Kensington Palace has now announced who will be walking the bride-to-be down the aisle.
On Friday, Kensington Palace finally ended the suspense and announced Prince Charles, Harry’s father, will escort the Meghan Markle down the aisle.
“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,” Kensington Palace said in a statement. “The Prince of Wales is pleased to be able to welcome Ms. Markle to The Royal Family in this way.
The news came a day after Markle confirmed that her father’s poor health would prevent him from traveling to the U.K. for the wedding and giving his daughter away as planned.
“Sadly, my father will not be attending our wedding. I have always cared for my father and hope he can be given the space he needs to focus on his health,” Markle said in a statement provided by Kensington Palace Thursday.
Charles has experience stepping in to assist brides on their big day. In 2016, he walked Alexandra Knatchbull — a goddaughter of the late Princess Diana — down the aisle when she wed Thomas Hooper, as her estranged father watched from the pews.
In a post-engagement interview with the BBC in November, Prince Harry said that his father was one of the first members of his family to meet Markle.
“The family together have been absolutely solid support,” he said.
Markle also had warm words for the royal family. “The family has been great,” she said, adding that she was starting to feel “a part of not just the institution but also part of the family.”
Royal correspondent Roya Nikkhah says the run-up to royal weddings is usually much smoother.
“What we’ve heard from Kensington Palace is that far from being debilitated from going on, she’s been trying to carry on as usual.”
Markle was seen smiling Thursday as she and Harry headed to the dress rehearsal for their big day.
“Fans have been camping out for days trying to secure the best spot possible to see the newlyweds during their carriage ride.”
It’s to get front position, you know, it’s history in the making. There’s no second chance at this.”
Michelle Poggi traveled for 24 hours from Australia to be here.
“They’re going to be waving, they’re going to be happy. I’m going to see the first joys of wedding.”
The ceremony takes place at noon local time (6 a.m. CT) on Saturday. Markle will arrive at Windsor in a car with her mother, Doria Ragland, traveling up to the castle via the Long Walk, where members of the public will get their first glimpse of the bride.
The car will stop at the castle to let Meghan’s mother out and pick up some of the bridal party before continuing to the church. There will be six young bridesmaids and four page boys in total, with Prince Harry’s nephew Prince George and niece Princess Charlotte among them.