Meghan Markle's father Thomas Markle, will reportedly no longer be attending the wedding of his daughter and Britain's Prince Harry this weekend.
According to US entertainment website TMZ, Mr Markle, who has recently been caught up in a media storm over paparazzi photographs, will not be going to the royal wedding on Saturday at George's Chapel, Windsor Castle.
The website reports that Mr Markle suffered a heart attack six days ago, but had checked himself out of the hospital in order to attend the upcoming nuptials.
It is now believed that Meghan's mother, Doria Ragland, may walk her down the aisle, or that she will be accompanied by a member of the Royal Family.
Markle's half-sister, Samantha Grant, recently admitted that she arranged for their dad to pose for staged photos, in which he was seen reading a book about photos of Great Britain, while another featured him clicking through a photo gallery of Meghan and her fiancé at an internet cafe.
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"I have to say I am entirely the culprit," Samantha Grant said during an appearance on British talk show Loose Women on Monday.
"As we know the media can take very unflattering photographs of people on their casual days and blow it way out of proportion. I said, you know, the world has no idea you’re getting in shape, doing healthy things. They don’t photograph you buying vegetables and PH water. They photograph you as unflattering ways as they can."
"So I said, really you need to show the world that you’re getting in shape and doing great healthy things," she added. "So I suggested it. There’s a lot of scrutiny that it was money motivated, it was not. It was my suggestion that to benefit him and to benefit the royal family that everyone looked good and they depict you as you are – in shape and doing healthy things."
Kensington Palace did not confirm that Mr Markle would be missing the wedding, but issued a statement asking for understanding.
A spokesman said: "This is a deeply personal moment for Ms. Markle in the days before her wedding.
"She and Prince Harry ask again for understanding and respect to be extended to Mr. Markle in this difficult situation."
An Irish student will be among the guests at this weekend's wedding.
