Royal Family

Meghan Markle's father had a talk with his daughter Meghan and Prince Harry Thursday and tells us his daughter has his blessing on Prince Charles walking her down the aisle.

Thomas Markle tells TMZ he's "honored and grateful" Charles will give his daughter away, since he can't be there because of his heart condition.

Thomas told us he has no reservations or shock regarding Meghan's choice. Lots of people thought Meghan's mom would do the honors, but Thomas is down with her choice.

Thomas says Meghan was super sweet on the phone, telling him she loved him and worrying about his health. He reassured her he's recovering and doing okay, adding he will "proudly" watch her tie the knot Saturday on TV "in a secluded place with friends, hopefully with no press."

The Royal wedding's got women AND men of all ages -- and all over the U.K. -- dolled up and ready to celebrate the historic event.

With Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's nuptials less than 24 hours away, fans wasted no time getting in the spirit by throwing on their best red, white and blue -- Union Jack and Old Glory -- to honor the couple.

Seriously, they're head-to-toe in this stuff, and you gotta see it! Imagine what's gonna happen tomorrow.

Think of it as 'last call' for Meghan Markle and Prince Harry -- the couple's left their London home for the final time as unhitched peeps.

The betrothed duo was all smiles Friday as they pulled out of Kensington Palace, where they live, making the chauffeur-driven one-hour ride out to Windsor ... where the royal wedding will go down tomorrow.

They headed out shortly after the Palace's 11th hour shocker-- that Prince Charles will walk her down the aisle.

If they're at all superstitious this will be the last few hours Harry and Meghan will see each other before the big day. If they've got any jitters, they're hiding 'em well.

Well, this is a twist ... Meghan Markle's mom will not walk her down the aisle and give her away Saturday ... instead Meghan's gone the royal route.

Kensington Palace just announced Prince Charles, Harry's dad, will do the honors. The Palace says, "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 statement goes on ... "The Prince of Wales is pleased to be able to welcome Ms. Markle to The Royal Family in this way."

TMZ broke the story ... Meghan's dad, Thomas, wanted to do the honors but couldn't fly to England because of heart surgery. Meghan's mom, who is in England for the wedding and her only immediate family member invited, was expected to walk the walk but, clearly, there were other plans.

The Palace made it clear in the statement ... it was Meghan's decision.

The cholesterol level among the Royals is about to rise, because Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's wedding cake is filled with eggs -- 500 of them!

California baker Claire Ptak is hard at work finishing up the staple for any wedding ... this cake contains 200 Amalfi lemons, and 10 bottles of elderflower cordial.

The 3 layers are each different sizes ... unusual, says the baker. She calls her creation an 'ethereal layered lemon and elderflower cake.' It's actually a sponge cake of sorts ... the sponge is sandwiched with lemon curd and swiss meringue buttercream.

The cake will be served at Windsor Castle, where roughly 600 guests will chow down.

Meghan Markle's going to have her half sister with her as she marries Prince Harry -- at least in spirit ... 'cause she'll be watching from home, with security standing guard.

Samantha Markle tells TMZ she's hosting a viewing party to watch the Royal Wedding Saturday at her Florida home with her boyfriend and some friends. It'd be nice if more fam could be there, but as we've reported ... a lot of them are already in England.

We're told Samantha and co. are planning on dressing up in formal wear -- she'll be rockin' a nice dress and a vintage art deco hat, and plans on decorating too. She says it'll be bittersweet to watch Meghan walk down the aisle, 'cause she still loves her.

Here's the kicker ... Samantha says she and her camp will be hiring off-duty police officers to patrol her home during the ceremony, so creepers don't roll up onto her crib and disrupt the festivities. Can't blame her ... Samantha's been making waves in the media lately.

Meghan Markle confirmed what TMZ reported Wednesday ... that her dad won't -- indeed can't -- walk her down the aisle Saturday when she marries Prince Harry.

Kensington Palace just issued a statement from Meghan, which reads, "Sadly, my father will not be attending our wedding. I have always cared for my father and hope he can be given the space he needs to focus on his health."

TMZ broke the story ... Thomas Markle is laid up in the hospital after undergoing serious heart surgery Wednesday, and won't be discharged in time for the nuptials. Fact is, he couldn't go even if he was out of the hospital because of his health.

Thomas had a serious heart attack a little more than a week ago, and on Wednesday doctors went in to clean up some of the plaque and insert 3 stents. Thomas was told by doctors he had to avoid getting excited.

As we reported, Thomas believes his heart attack was triggered by his son's vicious attack against Harry and Meghan.

It's all but certain Meghan's mom will walk her down the aisle on Saturday.

Elton John will take the stage at the royal wedding ... a fitting choice given the singer's history with Prince Harry, Princess Diana and the Royal Family.

Sources close to Elton tell TMZ the singer is set to perform during Saturday's event ... it's still unclear whether he'll get behind his piano at the church ceremony or at the reception later in the night.

Elton's been tight with the Royal Family for years ... he was an extremely close friend of Princess Diana. The two worked together to raise money for AIDS research and awareness of the disease.

The singer was also a tremendous source of support for Prince Harry and Prince William when Diana died in 1997. Elton famously performed "Candle in the Wind" as a tribute for Diana at her funeral.

Elton had originally booked shows in Vegas for this weekend, but they were rescheduled months ago due to a "scheduling conflict" ... guess now we know the conflict.

3:05 PM PT -- Thomas says, "I'm ok. It will take a long time to heal. Staying in the hospital a few more days. Not allowed to get excited."

Meghan Markle's dad, Thomas, appears to have successfully undergone heart surgery ... TMZ has learned.

We spoke with Thomas a few minutes ago and he seemed alert and coherent, telling us doctors implanted stents in his blood vessels ... he said he believes surgeons implanted 3 stents, but he wasn't sure.

He was scheduled to go into the OR at 7:30 AM.

As we reported, the surgery was necessary after Thomas experienced significant damage to his heart ... the result of a heart attack 8 days ago. Thomas told us Tuesday, "They [doctors] will go in and clear blockage, repair damage and put a stent where it is needed."

Thomas told TMZ Tuesday ... he had a change of heart and wanted to walk Meghan down the aisle, but realized it was not going to happen because of the surgery.

Meghan Markle's half-sister says England's new princess-to-be has no right to tell her when to talk, or what to say -- 'cause this is 'Merica, damnit!!! Yes ... seriously.

We spoke with Samantha Markle a few days ahead of Meghan's wedding with Prince Harry -- amidst a ton of family drama brewing among the Markles -- and she tells us she doesn't care if her sis wants her to refrain from blabbing to the media as much as she has.

Samantha insists she's not bad-mouthing Meghan ... she's just defending herself. And besides, Samantha says whatever censorship laws the U.K. have on the books don't apply to her across the pond ... even if Meg's now a big deal there.

You gotta hear her for yourself -- she's certainly got her opinions of Meghan.

Walking Meghan Markle down the aisle to marry Prince Harry has its privileges, and her mother is enjoying one of 'em right now as she jets off to England for the royal wedding.

Doria Ragland got picked up Tuesday at her L.A. home, where she and her luggage were loaded into a chauffeur-driven SUV. A Caddy, of course. Doria's first class journey started even before she boarded her flight.

You gotta see her arrival to LAX. Doria was dropped off at the new Private Suite -- a terminal reserved for the super rich and famous, which guarantees her privacy before she's driven across the tarmac ... directly to her flight. It also costs several thousand dollars just to enter the place, but we're guessing QE2's covering that.

TMZ broke the story ... Thomas Markle, Meghan's dad, will almost definitely NOT be able to attend the wedding because he's undergoing a heart procedure Wednesday.

Thomas Markle is not going to walk his daughter, Meghan, down the aisle Saturday, nor will he travel to England, because we've learned he's dealing with something far more serious ... major surgery.

Thomas tells TMZ, he will go into surgery at 7:30 AM Wednesday. He tells us, "They [doctors] will go in and clear blockage, repair damage and put a stent where it is needed."

TMZ broke the story, Thomas had a heart attack a week ago and began having chest pains Monday. He checked himself into the hospital Tuesday and a battery of tests determined he needed surgery. Thomas said the heart attack did significant damage.

As we reported, he had decided Monday not to attend the wedding because he felt he had embarrassed Meghan and the Royal Family by staging a photo op with a paparazzi agency. Thomas' daughter, Samantha, tells us he received only $1,500 in payment plus a small percentage of the royalties.

Thomas had a change of heart Tuesday ... after receiving texts from Meghan saying she loved him and was concerned for his health. He told us he hoped he could get out of the hospital and travel to England to walk Meghan down the aisle, but now he realizes it's all but impossible given the upcoming surgery.

Meghan Markle's dad has had a change of heart -- this after his daughter contacted him -- and he now wants to go to England and walk her down the aisle ... but there's a serious snag.

Thomas Markle just told us he's back in the hospital after experiencing serious chest pains and doctors are performing a battery of tests on him. He says the doctors told him his heart was "seriously damaged" after his heart attack a week ago.

Thomas tells TMZ Meghan tried calling him Monday but he was not near his phone. She followed up with a text telling him she loved him and was concerned about his health. He says she harbors no ill feelings toward him for making a deal with a paparazzi agency to stage photos of him getting ready for the wedding.

As for the Queen being upset with him, Thomas scoffed, saying, "I don't think the Queen is thinking about what I'm doing."

Thomas says he's thought about it and now believes what he did with the photos was not a serious transgression, although he calls it "stupid." He says he now wants to make the trek to England, telling us, "I hate the idea of missing one of the greatest moments in history and walking my daughter down the aisle."

Thomas says if doctors let him out of the hospital he will risk his health and fly to England so he can be with his daughter. Whether he gets released this week is problematic. Thomas says he's lobbied the doctors, asking if he can get out Wednesday, but they have been noncommittal.

As for his eldest daughter, Samantha, talking to the press, Thomas echoed the sentiment our Meghan Markle sources have sounded, saying Samantha has had no real relationship with Meghan as an adult and has no knowledge of Meghan's relationship with Prince Harry.

Bottom line, he says, "Of course I'd walk her down the aisle. This is a historic moment. I'd like to be a part of history."

Kensington Palace was caught flatfooted by TMZ's story that Meghan Markle's dad will not walk his daughter down the aisle ... because we found out the palace had made elaborate plans for him.

Our palace sources say the plans included a security detail for Thomas Markle, along with accommodations and access to various events.

TMZ broke the story ... Thomas Markle told us he would not attend the wedding because he felt shame that he made a deal with a paparazzi agency that photographed him in staged shots.

One source connected to Meghan confirms what we posted Monday ... that Meghan's mom is now the frontrunner to give her daughter away. We're told the 2 are extremely close.

As for who's not close to Meghan ... her half-sister, Samantha Grant. Our Meghan sources say the 2 have "absolutely no relationship" and "she knows nothing about Meghan's life." The sources warn that Samantha is trying to take the media for a ride by planting stories with no basis in fact.

Finally, we tried to find out if Meghan has reached out to her dad to see if she could change his mind. So far, no word back.

Meghan Markle's dad is hurting from the fallout over his deal with a paparazzi agency -- hurting both physically and emotionally, and it looks like he's going back to the hospital as early as Monday night.

Thomas Markle tells TMZ, he's experiencing serious chest pains ... this after his heart attack 6 days ago. He says the pains have been triggered by emotional upset. He specifically mentioned his oldest daughter, Samantha Grant, who has been shading Meghan in the weeks leading up to the wedding.

Thomas tells us, "I've been popping Valium for the pain, especially when I hear about my oldest daughter."

He tells us he has not heard from Meghan since TMZ ran the story that he has decided not to go to the wedding and give her away.

Thomas thinks Meghan's mother -- his ex-wife -- Doria Ragland, is a good choice for walking Meghan down the aisle.

He says he checked out of General Hospital in Mexico a few days ago, which he says is a "charity hospital," but he feels he needs to go to another hospital soon because he's worried he might be on the verge of another heart attack. The coronary he suffered 6 days ago was his second.

The guy who played Prince William in Lifetime's "Harry & Meghan: A Royal Romance" says even he was surprised when he wasn't given a prosthetic to play the future king of England.

We spoke to actor Burgess Abernethy about his role in the TV movie, which was met with a ton of criticism because a lot of viewers didn't think he looked anything like the real Wills -- and turns out, Burgess didn't think so either.

Burgess says hair, wardrobe and makeup helped a little, and he's still got the bald spot to prove it ... but ultimately, nailing the accent was his saving grace and helped him embody Will's spirit -- even if he's not a dead ringer for the guy. Like he says ... it was his own version of PW.

As for the haters ... seems there's only really one critique Burgess cares about.