Meghan Markle’s reclusive dad breaks silence to say he’d be ‘delighted’ to give away his daughter at her wedding to Prince Harry
MEGHAN Markle's dad has said he will be "delighted" to give her away to Prince Harry.
Reclusive Thomas Markle broke his silence to say he hopes to walk his daughter down the aisle on 26 May — as he was handed English tea and Champagne.
He told the , who gave him the gifts, that he would "love to" accompany Meghan, 36, at the Windsor Castle wedding to Harry, 32.
Speaking in Mexico, Thomas, 73, added "I'm very pleased — I'm delighted".
He was last seen in public on Wednesday as he picked up beer and cigs out shopping.
His neighbour said: “Tom is very happy in his own company. He left his home in Los Angeles to escape parts of his past and start afresh down here."
They added: “He is very charismatic and has a very good sense of humour. He’ll get a lot of attention for sure down here.”
When asked earlier this week how he felt about the wedding news, he simply said he was happy, adding:
“No comment, kids, thank you,” before throwing a peace sign and driving away into the night.
, who is now retired, was declared bankrupt last year.
He has gone to great lengths to stay out of the spotlight, even moving to different rented properties.
Mr Markle, who nicknamed 36-year-old Meghan "Bean", has only spoken to Harry on the phone when he asked his permission to pop the question, and they are yet to meet face-to-face.
The Sun Online has published a video which revealed Meghan had a fractured relationship with her father.
In a candid home video, Meghan confided in a pal about her difficult relationship with dad Thomas — saying: “We aren’t on the best of terms.”
According to residents in Rosarito, Mr Markle enjoys spending time relaxing at home, shops at Walmart, and tells friends: “Have you heard of Meghan Markle? I am her dad.”
His red-tiled home sits on a cobblestone street, with plywood covering the windows that face inland.
On the other side he enjoys sweeping views of pelicans flying low over the Pacific and curlews and other wading birds strutting on the shore.
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Harry is said to have asked Mr Markle for permission to ask for Meghan's hand.
And under strict royal protocol, the Prince also asked the Queen for permission to marry the divorced actress.
In a statement, she and the Duke of Edinburgh announced they "are delighted for the couple and wish them every happiness".
Harry's dad, Prince Charles said he was "thrilled" and "very happy indeed" as news of the engagement broke.
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