Harry and Meghan rehearse royal wedding, bride confirms father Thomas won’t attend

Harry and Meghan Markle look relaxed after having tea with the Queen, and a rehearsal of their wedding at St George’s Chapel.

UPDATE: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle looked relaxed after having tea with the Queen, and a rehearsal of their wedding at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle overnight.

Thousands of locals lined the route of the carriage procession for an earlier practice by several bands, including mounted members of Prince Harry’s Household Calvary regiment escorting a horse-drawn carriage, but had largely dispersed when the bride and groom were driven down the Long Walk in Windsor to the castle, escorted by a police security team.

The rehearsal for the carriage procession down The Long Walk. Picture: AP.

Best man Prince William, accompanied by his wife the Duchess of Cambridge, the first time out in public since showing off Prince Louis outside the Lindo Wing, also attended the rehearsal.

Hours beforehand, Ms Markle had confirmed that her father Thomas Markle would not be attending the wedding on Saturday.. She said she ‘’cared for her father’’ and was sad he was unable to be part of her big day.

Police officers on a roof-top during the wedding dress rehearsal. Picture: Getty Images.

Kensington Palace has yet to confirm if her mother Doria Ragland will now walk Ms Markle down the aisle.

Ms Ragland arrived in London on Wednesday, staying at Kensington Palace, and was rushed to tea with Prince Charles and Camilla at Clarence House and is due to meet the Queen on Friday. She has also squeezed in time to meet Prince William, the Duchess of Cambridge and their children, including wedding page boy Prince George and flower girl Princess Charlotte. Later today she is expected to move to Cliveden House, sumptuous lodgings of the bridal party, which is a short 20 minute drive to Windsor Castle, to prepare for the wedding.

The rehearsal carried on through the streets of Windsor. Picture: MEGA.

Meghan’s father won’t attend

Meghan Markle has confirmed that her 73-year-old father, Thomas, will not walk her down the aisle tomorrow.

“Sadly, my father will not be ­attending our wedding,’’ Ms Markle said just three days from her marriage to Prince Harry.

The statement from Meghan Markle issued by Kensington Palace.

Mr Markle withdrew from the wedding initially not wanting to embarrass his daughter or the royal family, only to reconsider after Ms Markle texted him. However he had heart surgery on Wednesday and cannot travel on doctors’ advice.

The statement, issued by Kensington Palace, says: “I have always cared for my father and hope he can be given the space he needs to focus on his health.’’

Ms Markle adds she would like to thank everyone who has ­offered generous messages of ­support. “Please know how much Harry and I look forward to sharing our special day with you on Saturday.”

Meghan Markle at an Anzac Day ceremony at Westminster Abbey in London last month. Picture: AFP

While Markle family mayhem plays out with fresh twists — ­Meghan’s half-sister Samantha Grant broke bones in a car crash she says was caused by a pap­arazzo — there is also hidden tension on the Windsor side ahead of the wedding.

Prince Harry’s aunt Sarah “Fergie’’ Ferguson is offended that she has not been invited to the evening wedding dinner for 200 guests hosted by Prince Charles.

Fergie, 58, enjoys a curiously close relationship with her former husband Prince Andrew. They live on the same estate and share a holiday home in Verbier, Switzerland. Twenty-six years ago she fell foul of the royal family when spotted having her toes sucked by her financial adviser. She and Andrew soon divorced.

Charles and Prince Philip are united in their dislike of Fergie, believing her silliness lowers the tone of the family.

Charles cannot understand why she is a big part of his brother’s life, but Harry wanted her present on his big day, particularly because Fergie was, for a time, the best friend of his late mother Diana, Princess of Wales.

Harry demanded Fergie be added to the guest list initially drawn up by courtiers, which caused a small ruckus inside the palace. Fergie has let it be known she is “deeply unhappy’’ not to have scored a seat to the evening “inner circle’’ party.

Royal insiders say she should consider herself lucky to have made the cut of 600 for the St ­George’s Chapel ceremony.

Philip refuses to be in the same room as Fergie, and she was ostracised from the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton.

In the latest paparazzi confrontation, Grant, who has multiple sclerosis, broke her ankle and knee when the car she was in crashed trying to avoid a photographer who veered in front.