Now that the dilemma of who was going to walk the bride down the aisle has been settled, Meghan Markle will no doubt put this week's family drama behind her as she oversees the last-minute preparations before she marries into the royal family.
Among the final plans for Friday is a meeting between Markle's mother, Doria Ragland, and the Queen. Royal correspondent Rebecca English reports that Ragland will join the monarch for afternoon tea at Windsor Castle, along with her daughter and Prince Harry.
Ragland, who had been the mostly likely candidate to give Markle away on Saturday, flew in to Heathrow on Wednesday and has been reportedly staying at Kensington Palace. She is said to have met with the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall at Clarence House before being introduced to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their children in Windsor.
News of Ragland's tea with the Queen comes after Markle confirmed that her father, Thomas Markle Sr., won't be attending the wedding as planned. Kensington Palace has now confirmed that Prince Charles will walk Markle down the aisle in Thomas's absence.
'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,' the Palace said in a statement on Friday morning. 'The Prince of Wales is pleased to be able to welcome Ms. Markle to The Royal Family in this way.'
While Prince Charles was perhaps the more traditional choice for the royal family, Ragland will still be playing a key part in her daughter's wedding day. She will join her daughter at Cliveden House Hotel, where the bride will spend her last night before the big day, on Friday evening. She will also accompany her daughter in the car ride from the hotel to St George's Chapel on Saturday morning.
