Will Meghan Walk Down the Aisle with Her Mom?
Meghan Markle reportedly wants her mother, Doria Ragland, to accompany her to the altar when she weds Prince Harry in May. A source close to the couple told Us Weekly, "I’ve heard that Meghan wants her mother to walk her down the aisle, which would be a sweet moment."
Though it's yet to be confirmed whether Markle will walk with her mom instead of her father, Thomas Markle, the move would break royal tradition. Kate Middleton walked arm-in-arm with her father, Michael, at her royal wedding to Prince William in 2011, and Princess Diana was joined by her dad, John Spencer, 8th Earl Spencer, when she tied the knot to Prince Charles in 1981.
However, Harry and Meghan are shaking things up. "While they will always be mindful of traditions and the views of their elders, the day is ultimately about them and what they want to do," the source added to Us. "The day of the wedding itself will certainly hold a few unconventional surprises. Don’t expect a royal wedding by numbers. They want to involve their friends and family as much in as much as possible throughout the day."
"Their romance feels refreshingly modern and I think that’s something that everyone at Kensington Palace has felt incredibly excited by," a Palace insider added.
Prince Harry has already spent plenty of time with Markle's mother, including his appearance with her and Markle at the Invictus Games in October, when he reportedly asked Ragland for her permission to marry her daughter. She's "amazing," the prince revealed of his future mother-in-law during his first interview with Markle. Harry also revealed he's only spoken to Meghan's father a few times and has yet to meet him.
Thomas Markle, however, previously expressed interest in walking his daughter down the aisle. In December, during an interview with a Mexican newspaper, he said he'd "love to" give his daughter away at the ceremony, Reuters reports.
Meghan was raised by both of her parents in LA, but they divorced when she was six years old. After they split, she lived with her mom, who is a yoga instructor and social worker.