Meghan Markle’s mother Doria Ragland has had a series of whirlwind visits with senior royals since her arrival from California.
She met Prince Harry’s brother, Prince William, and his wife Kate and their two oldest children, Prince George, 4, and Princess Charlotte, 3, at Windsor Castle on Thursday afternoon.
Palace officials said Harry and Meghan Markle were also present, and that the meeting was followed by a rehearsal dinner.
Ragland also had tea with Harry’s father Prince Charles and his wife Camilla on Wednesday. She has not yet met Harry’s grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, but Buckingham Palace officials said she will meet the queen for tea on Friday at Windsor Castle.
Officials did not say if Prince Philip, the queen’s husband, will be present at that meeting. He is recovering from hip replacement surgery.
Meghan Markle said her father will not be attending her wedding to Prince Harry, and has expressed hope that he can be "given the space" to focus on his health.
Kensington Palace’s statement Thursday puts to rest days of speculation about whether Markle’s father, Thomas, would walk her down the aisle – as the palace had previously said.
His participation was put into doubt after news site TMZ reported he would not attend because of embarrassment regarding paparazzi photographs. It later reported that he was having heart surgery.
Markle says 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."
You can catch full coverage of the ceremony on KOAA 5 starting at 2 a.m.
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