Meghan Markle’s Dad Won’t Attend Royal Wedding Due To Staged Photo Scandal

Reports claim that Meghan Markle's father, Thomas Markle Sr., was planning to walk her down the aisle when she marries Prince Harry on May 19. But according to TMZ, that may not be the case. They're reporting that Thomas has excused himself from the royal event, after he "admitted to accepting money from paparazzi for staged photos." The staged photos include Thomas reading a book in public about Great Britain and getting fitted for his wedding tuxedo.

His decision to drop out of the wedding was born of embarrassment over his recent paparazzi scandal more so than any health issues. Meghan’s father said he fell ill a week prior and had now realised he might be too ill to make the trip. Thomas admitted he had been paid to pose for staged paparazzi pictures which sold for £100,000. He said he did not want to embarrass either his daughter or the royals in the wake of his confession.

The footage where Meghan’s dad was caught up in a staged photo scandal showed him meeting at an internet cafe with a photographer. There he was snapped looking at pictures of his daughter with her fiance. He was also separately photographed getting measured for a suit, looking at a book of British landmarks and working out ahead of the big day. Mr Markle claims he did the shoot, not for money reasons but to improve the public perception of him before the royal wedding. Reports now suggest that he will not be preparing to make the journey to London for his daughter’s wedding to Prince Harry, due to his heart attack.