Meghan Markle will begin bridal procession alone, meeting Prince Charles halfway

After much speculation as to who might take on the important role, it’s finally been confirmed that Prince Charles will be walking Meghan Markle down the aisle tomorrow.

Meghan’s father-in-law to be, will take on the role after her father, Thomas Markle, was declared unfit to attend the wedding due to undergoing heart surgery.

However, according to CNN, Charles won’t walk Meghan the entire way.

In the ultimate girl power move, the former actress will start her bridal procession solo and walk herself halfway down the decadent nave.

Prince Charles will join Meghan as she reaches the Quire – where fellow members of the royal family will be seated – where he will then walk her down to the foot of the altar.

It will be the first time in regal history that a bride has broken the age-old tradition but Meghan is no stranger to eschewing the royal rulebook.

Kensington Palace confirmed the news, saying: “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 Prince of Wales is pleased to be able to welcome Ms. Markle to The Royal Family in this way.”

Odds on Prince Charles, 69, performing the duty today stood at 2/1 with Ladbrokes on Wednesday.

Meghan, 36, and her father-in-law to be have met a handful of times since she first began dating Harry in July 2016.

Harry was first thought to have introduced his then-girlfriend to his father in November 2016.

The pair then likely met multiple times throughout the year, before the pair announced their engagement in November 2017, where the future king said he was “thrilled” about the news.

Meghan then joined Prince Charles, Camilla and the rest of the royal family for the Christmas Day celebrations at the Church of St Mary Magdalene.

Interestingly, Prince Charles’ may have also played a big part in Harry and Meghan’s meeting in the first place: it’s thought that the pair were set up by Harry’s childhood friend, Violet von Westenholz, whose father is also a close friend of Prince Charles.

It won’t be the first time Harry’s father has stepped up to the plate.

In 2016, Prince Charles gave away close family friend Alexandra Knatchbull at her nuptials after her father, Lord Brabourne, was too unwell at the time.

Just days before her big day, Meghan Markle was confronted with a situation no bride wishes to face, confirming via the Palace that her father would not be attending the wedding.

On Thursday, in Meghan’s first statement, she put a stop to the rumours of whether or not her 73-year-old father would walk her down the aisle on Saturday, saying: “I have always cared for my father and hope he can be given the space he needs to focus on his health.”

She went on to say: “I would like to thank everyone who has offered generous messages of support. Please know how much Harry and I are looking forward to sharing this special day with you.”

Click below for everything you need to know about Meghan Markle…

Thomas Markle allegedly staged paparazzi photos of himself in the run-up to the ceremony being held at Windsor Castle on Saturday. A day later, American celebrity website TMZ reported that he had pulled out of the wedding because of the embarrassment caused by the images.

The website claimed Meghan’s father had suffered a heart attack and undergoing heart surgery on Wednesday as a result.

On Monday, Kensington Palace release a statement following the rumours, simply saying: “This is a deeply personal moment for Ms. Markle in the days before her wedding. She and Prince Harry ask again for understanding and respect to be extended to Mr. Markle in this difficult situation.”

This week, speculation was rife about who would take on the role.

Doria Ragland, Meghan’s mother, was one of the people thought to be taking on the role tomorrow.

Odds on the 61-year-old yoga instructor and social worker giving her daughter away at St George’s Chapel stood at 4/6 with Ladbrokes on Wednesday.

The Duke of Cambridge Prince William, Meghan’s brother-in-law to be, was another person thought to take on the role.

Even prior to reports that Meghan’s father would not attend the wedding, it was thought that the Duke might take on the task.

Meghan and Prince William have bonded since she was first introduced to him and his wife, the Duchess of Cambridge, when she and Harry first started dating.

Prince William – who is doubling up as Harry’s best man for the wedding – will stand beside his brother at at the end of the aisle at St. George’s Chapel.

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Read more from Yahoo Style UK:

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s royal wedding: The date, details and latest news

Meghan Markle’s fractured family scandals: From ‘faked pap shots’ to tell-all memoirs

Who is Meghan Markle? From prom queen to princess, the lowdown on Prince Harry’s fiancee