IF YOU WATCHED the Royal Wedding back in May of this year, you’ll likely remember a moment that clearly resonated with everyone in St George’s Chapel, as well as those glued to their screens at home.
And yes, it was the moment Prince Harry uttered the words ‘Thank you, Pa’ to his father as Prince Charles guided Meghan Markle to the alter to wed his son.
In the weeks leading up to the wedding, tension was at fever-pitch among Royal Wedding enthusiasts as debate intensified over whether Thomas Markle would be in a position to walk his daughter down the aisle, or as it’s more traditionally known, ‘give her away’.
As it turned out, ill health meant Thomas was unable to attend the wedding, and according to a new BBC documentary, Prince, Son and Heir: Charles at 70, Prince Charles told Prince Harry that he would be pleased to take Mr Markle’s place.
I asked him to and I think he knew it was coming, and he immediately said ‘Yes, of course, I’ll do whatever Meghan needs and I’m here to support you’.
While it was certainly one of the more poignant moments in the ceremony, it ultimately sparked debate over that particular tradition.
Personally, I know brides who were happy to stride down the aisle alone while their fathers watched proudly from the pews.
I also know brides who chose to walk down the aisle with their mothers, for a variety of different reasons.
And I know brides who considered being ‘given away’ by their fathers one of the most important moments of their wedding ceremony.
