Harry and Meghan were 'in floods of tears' days before the royal wedding

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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle tied the knot in 2018 and it was one of the biggest events of the year. The royal wedding was watched by millions across the globe, and the world was keen to know every last detail - from the fact that Harry helped Meghan to pick her tiara to who DJ'd at the afterparty (hint: it was Idris Elba and the couple's first dance was reportedly to I Wanna Dance With Somebody).

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex exchanged vows in front of 600 people at St George's Chapel in Windsor, and according to reports the reception and after party were extra exclusive. Of the hundreds of ceremony guests, only 200 were invited to the private reception at Frogmore House in Windsor Home Park.

While there were A-list guests aplenty - including George and Amal Clooney, Elton John and the Beckhams - one person who was notably absent was Meghan's father, Thomas Markle.

In the lead up to the big day, it was unclear whether or not the Duchess' dad would walk her down the aisle due to various health conditions.

According to a report in The Sun on the day of the royal wedding last year, Harry and Meghan were 'sobbing' and 'in flows of tears' just days beforehand as they 'pleaded' with Thomas Markle to attend the wedding.

A courtier who was present for the wedding rehearsal told the newspaper: 'They were both in tears at what is going on with Meghan’s father in America.

'Prince William was pretty upset as well.'

Prince Charles was by Meghan's side instead, meeting her in the sanctuary of the chapel and escorting her to the altar.

Since their wedding, Meghan and Harry have welcomed their first child, baby Archie Harrison, who is yet to meet Thomas Markle.

In an interview with The Mail On Sunday, he spoke about his wish to meet his grandson, but said he refuses to 'shut up'.

He said: 'I feel sorry for them in a way because they brought this on themselves. You can’t say one thing and do another. Everyone raves about how gracious and wonderful they are, but they are not wonderful to their own family. That’s hypocritical. You can’t portray yourself as being charitable and bringing people together and then ghost your own father and your entire family. Their treatment of me has left a lot to be desired.'

He continued: 'I’m not going to shut up until the whole truth is out there. I will continue to contradict anything said about me that isn’t true.

'I have to stand up for myself. I’m going to carry on speaking and I’m not going to shut up. No father deserves this kind of abuse when he’s been that good to his daughter. Ask anyone who knows us both. I’ve been very kind and generous to my daughter.'

Jadie Troy-Pryde
News Editor

Jadie Troy-Pryde is News Editor, covering celebrity and entertainment, royal, lifestyle and viral news. Before joining the team in 2018 as the Lifestyle and Social Media Editor, she worked at a number of women’s fashion and lifestyle titles including Grazia, Women’s Health and Stylist, and now heads the Marie Claire UK news desk.