Royal Wedding 2018

Elton John just performed at the reception for Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan Markle ... just as we said he would.

We've learned Elton sang "Your Song" to the VIP crowd. On hand -- the Queen and the Queen, aka Oprah. We're told he performed other songs as well.

It's interesting ... Ellie Goulding performed the same song at William and Kate's wedding.

TMZ broke the story Elton would be performing. Makes sense, given he's super close to Prince Harry and was obviously extremely tight with Princess Diana.

The reception is a luncheon at Windsor Castle, hosted by the Queen. We're told all 600 guests are in attendance.

Meghan Markle's humble beginnings haven't been forgotten by those she left behind, because we found out the yogurt shop where she worked back in the day is offering a special royal offering ...at a discount!

Turns out Meghan worked at Humphrey Yogart around 1995 in the Beverly Connection, a WeHo shopping mall. The shop is long gone, but the H.Y. franchise in the San Fernando Valley is offering a strawberry and peanut butter frozen yogurt 50% ... but only today, and only 1 per customer.

The yogurt shop boasts, "Join us in celebrating our former employee Meghan Markle and her wedding to Prince Harry at Humphrey's."

While the pageantry was in full force inside Windsor Castle ... outside it was a big 'ol party with some bizarro getups.

Check it out ... a combo of British duds that would shock even Elton John, and a touch of Americana that looks like a 4th of July BBQ.

Tens of thousands of people lined the streets craning their necks for a glimpse of the newlyweds. By the way ... interesting in these times Harry and Meghan rode by everyone in an open coach.

Here's the good news. For the freaky lookin' ones who were too far back to see anything, we believe producers from "Let's Make a Deal" were watching so they may end up on "The Big Deal of the Day."

Either the Royal Wedding programs were printed far in advance, or someone made a huge mistake ... because they're not updated to show Meghan Markle's dad, Thomas, won't be there.

The Order of Service for Prince Harry and Meghan's wedding was just made available to the public, and we noticed something wrong ... on page 9 -- there are 20 pages total! -- it says the Bride "is joined by her Father, Mr Thomas Markle, to the High Altar.

We broke the story ... Thomas is unable to make the trip to the U.K. for the wedding because he's recovering from heart surgery. Prince Charles is stepping in his place to do the honors ... which will be a surprise to those going strictly off the program.

FYI, the Order of Service includes full details about the processions, music, hymns, prayers and readings ... and some incidental fake news about Meghan's dad.

When Meghan Markle walks down the aisle, actress Christine Adams will be watching closely -- not just because she's British, but because she has some history with Prince Harry's betrothed.

Christine, who stars on the CW's "Black Lightning," was leaving the London Hotel (appropriately) Friday in NYC ... and couldn't wait to break down the Royal Wedding. She told us about her neighborhood ties to the bride, but admits her invitation might have been "lost in the mail."

She says Meghan has the right stuff to marry into the royal fam, and gives Prince Charles major props. Christine also gave us her idea of the perfect viewing party. Think less Jack Daniels and more Earl Grey.

Meghan Markle and her mother looked incredibly happy and every bit as stunning ... which should come as no surprise with the Royal wedding just a mere hours away.

Meghan and her mom, Doria Ragland, arrived at the Cliveden House Hotel on the National Trust's Cliveden Estate in Buckinghamshire to spend the night before Meghan weds Prince Harry.

The historic event hasn't come without some hiccups, and that's putting it lightly. As TMZ first reported ... Meghan's father, Thomas, wanted to walk Meghan down the aisle but had to back out because of his heart condition.

Doria was expected to walk Meghan, but Prince Charles took the honors ... at Meghan's request.

As we first reported ... Thomas gave his blessing.

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'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.