Meghan Markle to make an important feminist statement at her wedding, breaking yet another royal tradition
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are all set to say their 'I dos' in a couple of hours but while she is at it, the 'Suits' actress did not forget one thing that has been most important for her- being an active feminist. According to Daily Mail, the soon-to-be royal bride has decided to walk the first half of her walk alone.
It has been reported that Meghan had thought about this moment her entire life and wasn't going to let this one go even if she was marrying a prince. After Meghan reaches the entrance, Prince Charles will be walking her down the aisle to get married to Prince Harry. The same would have happened if Meghan's dad, Thomas Markle had been the one to walk her down the aisle.
For a long time, there had been a debate on who would be walking Meghan down the aisle after seeing the stunt her dad pulled days before the wedding. Reports started swirling in which suggested that Thomas had faked photos. Videos emerged of him sitting at a cafe and posing for photos. Media had called it a dereliction of patriarchal duty.
Since it is a royal wedding, protocol and ancient traditions are held to the utmost importance. It has been the tradition that a father is the one to 'give away' the bride in the Christian religion. “Giving away” comes with a loaded meaning and is reminiscent of a time when women had almost no agency in their lives. Markle by choosing to walk alone for a good length of the ceremony is clearly doing away with the 'practice' establishing a deviation from the royal and patriarchal tradition.
Later, Thomas confirmed that he will not be attending the wedding because he had to undergo a heart surgery. Talking to TMZ, Thomas admitted he thought Meghan's mother, Doria Ragland would be a good choice for walking her down the aisle. Meghan herself put all speculations to rest by confirming that he would not be a part of the royal wedding.
“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,” she said. She further thanked everyone for their support during this hard time. “I 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.”
The palace later confirmed that Prince Charles would be walking her down the aisle. "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 Prince of Wales is pleased to be able to welcome Ms. Markle to The Royal Family in this way," the statement read.