Harry and Meghan: Wedding Suggestions and Musings

[Mirabel]

It's looking more and more like his decision. Meghan would not do this without a warning to KP staff. Emily Andrews is reporting that there has been no comment when reached for comment and it's a shock to them.

I hope he's not using this as a bargaining tool.
Something like, I'll only be there if my other children are invited, etc. I wouldn't put it past Samantha.

Anyway, there's no reason Meghan can't walk by herself. She is used to the spotlight.

 

[Zonk]

Just a friendly reminder,

Discussion of other forums and websites should be limited to royal-related content. We do not allow criticism of other forums or continuation of disagreements that started elsewhere.

 

[Lumutqueen]

Apparently TMZ has spoken directly to Thomas Markle and have it on record that he is not going.

I feel so sorry for Meghan, quite ironic really as I had a very similar situation when I got married a couple of weeks ago. Thomas should have spoken to his daughter about the situation with the press and i am sure it would have cleared the air and he could have come. Frankly I have always been surprised that he was coming and playing such a big role to begin with.

 

[jacqui24]

I hope he's not using this as a bargaining tool.
Something like, I'll only be there if my other children are invited, etc. I wouldn't put it past Samantha.

Anyway, there's no reason Meghan can't walk by herself. She is used to the spotlight.

That issue would've been said long ago if he wanted to. And clearly, he wasn't telling Samantha or any other family member anything about the wedding as they all thought he wasn't invited.

 

[Marengo]

If the story is true, Mr Markle did the decent thing by cancelling. He has sold his daughter out for money by posing for those paparazzi pictures and is a colossal embarrassment to her and to himself. How awful for the couple having to deal with such things so shortly before the wedding.

I am very surprised the palace did not sort this thing out. The press attention must be confusing for the family and they could have used some preparation and instructions perhaps.

In the Anglican church the bride is always escorted down the aisle by her father? Or does she sometimes arrive with the groom, as is the custom in a few other protestant churches.

 

[Rudolph]

.@TMZ tell us @GMB their story about Thomas Markle not going to #royalwedding* came directly from him. No confirmation from @KensingtonRoyal yet but it looks increasingly like he won't be walking his daughter down the aisle on Saturday

Via Louisa James ITV.

 

[jacqui24]

If the story is true, Mr Markle did the decent thing by cancelling. He has sold his daughter out for money and is a colossal embarrassment to her. How awful for the couple having to deal with such things so shortly before the wedding.

I am very surprised the palace did not sort this thing out. The press attention must be confusing for the family and they could have used some preparation and guidance perhaps.

I don't see this as a decent thing. If he was really an adult and the ultimate best decision is him not coming, he would've discussed it with his daughter and let KP handle it. Instead, he decides that all by himself and goes to TMZ to say he's sorry for embarrassing his daughter. At some point, in order to not make things worse, shutting up is the best thing to do.

 

[Daenys]

I think, probably they had a big row over phone or videochat because of this paparazzi thing.

 

[Zonk]

If he told TMZ before he told this daughter...than shame on him.

Yeah, remember how we had those discussions about marrying into the BRF and how it was a challenge for those (Kate, Sophie, Mark, Camilla, Diana, etc.) to still see their families during the holidays and still show up for Christmas and Easter with the BRF? Yeah, I am thinking that other than her mother, Meghan will not have that problem going forward.

Why do you need coaching from Kensington Palace? This is 2019 and not 1981, when the BRF was caught by surprise with the attention that Diana created. Don't talk to the press!

 

[Osipi]

Wow. I thought the big news was that Samantha Grant had come out taking all the blame for those photos stating she set it all up. I am however, going to hold off on believing that anything is amiss until there are are credible sources that confirm that Mr. Markle will not be there.

Its just weird that after all this time of talking to no one, he's giving an exclusive to TMZ? Weird. Very weird.

 

[Rudolph]

And he tells TMZ of all people. KP is said to be in shock.

 

[soapstar]

Please note that Meghan's Family thread has been reopened. You can use that thread to discuss Meghan's siblings and Sam's involvement in the staged photos. The discussion about Thomas Markle not attending the wedding can stay in this thread.

 

[Curbside]

This is terrible for Meghan. I feel so bad for her. For her father to make such a dumb move...then not even show up to walk her down the aisle...I can't even.

 

[texankitcat]

I am not so sympathetic to her father for getting into this mess. His daughter is days away from marrying into one of the most famous families in the world which will be televised and watched by millions and he sells himself to the paps to stage photos? I can’t imagine how upset Meghan must be after this all came to light and how disappointed and embarrassed she is. Her half siblings and her father have certainly done their best to destroy this special event for her.

 

[Zaira]

Andrews saying that KP did not know is very damning. I don’t trust her much, but I really think if KP knew, they would have handled it, not have had Markle Sr got to freaking TMZ of all places!! TMZ!

 

[wyevale]

the palace did not sort this thing out

Had 'the palace' been seen to interfere/micromanage the domestic affairs of another family they would certainly have made themselves the target for widespread criticism..
This MESS is a Markle issue, not a Windsor one..

 

[loonytick]

Oh, Thomas, Thomas, Thomas... The thing about TMZ, as trashy as they are (and they are among the trashiest of the trashy!) , the place is run by a former lawyer who evidently is a real hardliner about carefully wording anything they aren't sure is absolutely true to keep themselves from ending up in a lawsuit. They'll hang someone else out to dry in an instant, but they don't directly quote people unless they feel it's airtight. So if they're plainly saying they talked to Tom Sr. and he said these things, then very likely that's what happened.

Which is beyond idiotic on his part.

I think it's very important that he said he's dropping out of the wedding. He's probably been getting an earful from Meghan and/or KP about the photo stunt, but surely KP wanted to just tamp it down, keep plans the same for the wedding, and then work on getting him better under control in the future. I wouldn't be surprised if a sort of intervention involving a short yet intense "how to ignore the paps" training session was being planned for him while he was in town, given how boneheaded his last move had been. Shoot, maybe he can sense that's coming and he's taking the coward's way out to avoid it.

I just wonder if he'd fully sorted out with Meghan and KP that he wasn't coming or if this is a spur of the moment decision they were trying to talk him out of...and then he decided to blab about it in the heat of emotion.

 

[Daenys]

I don't see this as a decent thing. If he was really an adult and the ultimate best decision is him not coming, he would've discussed it with his daughter and let KP handle it. Instead, he decides that all by himself and goes to TMZ to say he's sorry for embarrassing his daughter. At some point, in order to not make things worse, shutting up is the best thing to do.

Yes.
I think they had to keep a poker face and proceed like nothing happened at all.
That's why I think they had a huge fight. They exchanged some bitter words and Thomas felt offended: "Oh, I am such an embarassment for you? Well, I am not going! Bye!"
It's childish behaviour, probably because their upset is so raw.
Wish this paparazzi scandal became public week or two weeks ago, they would have some time to cool down, and now...

 

[O-H Anglophile]

Why do you need coaching from Kensington Palace? This is 2019 and not 1981, when the BRF was caught by surprise with the attention that Diana created. Don't talk to the press!

I think that is easier said than done, when reporters and photographers are following you around and you aren't used to it. Especially when you are alone and not experiencing it as a family--at least the Middletons had each other.

I am only referring to her father here--not any of the other Markles who all seem to want to be famous.

The photos were dumb but I was willing to give him a pass on them--cancelling going to the wedding at the last minute because of them is rude. Unless he really couldn't face all the attention and pulled a stupid stunt hoping to be disinivited.

 

[Zonk]

I agree that its not hard to live a normal life when you have photographers following you and your lifebeing dissected in the press and people behind the keyboard.

But again...this is 2019 and not 1981 or 1997 and we aren't talking about totally naive people here. While they are not used to the British press they are aware of how the US press acts. And they can see (and have witnessed) how social media. After all the stuff that happened when Meghan started dating how could they have not seen it. It's why Sam has changed her twitter handle. Its why Tom Jr has said the press interest has been intense after his arrest.

When you burn yourself on the pot, you say ouch and don't touch the pot again. These people have touched it over and over again.

I just can't believe that Tom Sr. bailed out on his daughter and didn't have the audacity to tell her. I always thought he had debilitating shyness or maybe agoraphobic and that would be the reason he wouldn't walk down the aisle. Not that he would be embarrassed because he arranged some pap photos. Why didnt' he do this weeks ago. why do it the week of her wedding. why (if its true) listen to Sam..who has always shown herself to be looking out for her younger sibling?

 

[DuchessMia]

Pure selfishness on Tom Sr’s part. He’s ashamed and embarrassed about his actions. Ooookkkkayyy, but why burden Meghan further by leaving her to face the BRF alone, while he nurses his ego in Mexico? Be a man and face them. Apologize and be there for your daughter!

 

[soapstar]

I agree that its not hard to live a normal life when you have photographers following you and your lifebeing dissected in the press and people behind the keyboard.

But again...this is 2019 and not 1981 or 1997 and we aren't talking about totally naive people here. While they are not used to the British press they are aware of how the US press acts. And they can see (and have witnessed) how social media. After all the stuff that happened when Meghan started dating how could they have not seen it. It's why Sam has changed her twitter handle. Its why Tom Jr has said the press interest has been intense after his arrest.

When you burn yourself on the pot, you say ouch and don't touch the pot again. These people have touched it over and over again.

I just can't believe that Tom Sr. bailed out on his daughter and didn't have the audacity to tell her. I always thought he had debilitating shyness or maybe agoraphobic and that would be the reason he wouldn't walk down the aisle. Not that he would be embarrassed because he arranged some pap photos. Why didnt' he do this weeks ago. why do it the week of her wedding. why (if its true) listen to Sam..who has always shown herself to be looking out for her younger sibling?

All of this. Thomas worked in Hollywood for years and has a daughter that was a successful actress, so he knows how the paps and the media work. Notice that Doria was able to handle the media without selling photos, or giving interviews. Thomas allowed KP to put out a statement asking for his privacy, yet he was out here working with the paps.

And it's extremely messed up that he waited a few days before the wedding, to announce that he's going. It's not only hurtful, but extremely selfish. On top of that, he didn't even have the decency to tell his daughter before he told the media. Just terrible.

 

[wyevale]

Thomas worked in Hollywood for years and has a daughter that was a successful actress, so he knows how the paps and the media work.

A Man that won, and accepted Emmy's for his work in Hollywood.. he isn't a publicity 'novice' by ANY means...

 

[Zonk]

Exactly...I will give you that social media and the paparazzi craze isnt' the same as it was 10 years ago but you only have to have watched (or lived it) what has been going on in the last six months to establish some clear boundaries. And not talking to the press is one of them.

 

[AlowVera]

I think that is easier said than done, when reporters and photographers are following you around and you aren't used to it. Especially when you are alone and not experiencing it as a family--at least the Middletons had each other.

I am only referring to her father here--not any of the other Markles who all seem to want to be famous.

The photos were dumb but I was willing to give him a pass on them--cancelling going to the wedding at the last minute because of them is rude. Unless he really couldn't face all the attention and pulled a stupid stunt hoping to be disinivited.

Its one thing to cancel but then to lie about a heart attack that is being LOW! he was on the road to LA dropping off flowers at the mothers home in front of the paps. Its just a bid for sympathy.

That entire family is the worst, starting with the Uncle who sold his location.

 

[angieuk]

He would of been so proud to have been at the Wedding, just seems such a shame. I wonder if he ever feels alone and isolated in Mexico, and whether he will get much chance to see his daughter. I think all the stress has not helped, and may have contributed to a heart attack.

Poor man, I feel really sorry for him. Wish Meghan would take a flight to Mexico, and give her father a great big hug!! He didn't stand a chance; it was a perfect and vicious sting!! No matter he made a mistake, but now the press have ruined his chance of attending his daughter's wedding by making him feel worthless. Shame on them!

http://www.theroyalforums.com/forums/reputation.php?p=2106653​

 

[Rudolph]

A @KensingtonRoyal spokesman said of reports Thomas Markle won’t attend: "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."

Via Roya Nikkhah Twitter

 

[principessa]

Never ever before I had the strong wish that a wedding will be soon over. My anticipation was every day increasing. But now its so much negativity around the wedding (created by Meghans half-siblings) and I have to say that it is enough for me. I just wish that Saturday come quick and the wedding is over.

Thomas jr, and Samantha: You had done a great job with all the mad stuff you told the media. I guess you have arrived many many royal fans with all this sh... and destroyed a very good mood that surrounds a "normal" royal wedding.

 

[Osipi]

And there we have it. Official statement from KP. I can't begin to fathom what Meghan must be going through right now. I'm just glad that she's got the strong and loving support of Harry throughout all of this.

 

[DuchessMia]

And there we have it. Official statement from KP. I can't begin to fathom what Meghan must be going through right now. I'm just glad that she's got the strong and loving support of Harry throughout all of this.

Yes. Thank goodness she does have him and Doria.