Meghan was reported to have been upset by both her father's actions and the media pursuit of him,but still wanted him to be there on the day.
“I would like to thank everyone who has offered generous messages of support,"Meghan said."Please know how much Harry and I look forward to sharing our special day with you on Saturday.”
The statement did not say who — if anyone — will take Thomas Markle’s place walking her down the aisle at Windsor Castle’s St George’s Chapel on Saturday.
Many are predicting it will be Meghan’s mother Doria Ragland.
The full statement released by Kensington Palace.
Meghan's statement on Thursday was also a subtle rebuke to her extended family,including her half-sister Samantha who has repeatedly criticised Meghan for neglecting their father.
Meghan Markle's half-sister Samantha.
Samantha previously commented on the Ralph&Russo gown that Meghan wore for her engagement photo shoot,saying “if you can spend $75,000 on a dress you can spend $75,000 on your dad”.
And in a TV interview she said “what she could spend in a weekend would greatly help Dad,so that should be a priority… you need to step up to the plate and make sure he is well taken care of”.
The Sun newspaper reported that Samantha — who herself has MS — twice had to wire her father cash.
“He’s badly in need of help,I’m dreadfully worried about him,he’s completely on his own,” she said.
She said there was “no actual contact from Meghan” with her father,though according to other reports they had been in contact by text.
Samantha was reported to have gone to hospital herself this week after breaking her ankle and fracturing her knee in a car crash that her boyfriend blamed on the dangerous driving of a paparazzi photographer.
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Meghan’s half-brother had also weighed in on the wedding,writing in April (when he thought their father hadn’t been invited) “she forgets if it wasn’t for my father she would be busing tables and baby sitting to pay her old debt off”.
Markle snr played a big role in launching Meghan's acting career,according to biographer Andrew Morton,giving her the benefit of his experience as lighting director on big US TV series and supporting her school drama productions.