MEGHAN Markle's father Thomas could not be with his daughter when she married Prince Harry on May 19, 2018, but mum Doria was by her side.
We explain everything you need to about the Duchess of Sussex's parents.
Who are Meghan Markle’s parents?
Mother Doria Ragland
Meghan's mum Doria lives in LA, where she works as a yoga instructor and psychotherapist.
She met Meghan's dad Thomas after he divorced his first wife Roslyn.
Doria was working as a temp at the television studios where Thomas was the lighting director for a soap opera.
They married in 1979 and Meghan was born two years later.
In her post-engagement interview, Meghan said her mum was "so much fun".
Harry agreed, adding that Doria is "amazing".
Meghan has previously described her mum as a "free spirit".
She said: "She's (Doria) got dreadlocks and a nose ring. She ran the LA Marathon. We can have so much fun together, and yet, I'll still find so much solace in her support."
Father Thomas Markle
Thomas W Markle is the father of actress Meghan Markle and is of Dutch-Irish origin.
Born in 1944, he is a former television lighting director who's worked on iconic US shows including Married with Children and General Hospital.
In 2011, Thomas won a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Achievement in Lighting Direction for a Drama Series for his work on General Hospital, a long-running US soap.
Now, Thomas lives a quiet life in Mexico and filed for bankruptcy in 2016.
Are Meghan Markle's parents still together?
No, they're not.
Doria and Thomas divorced when Meghan was six years old.
As a teenager, Meghan told of her 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.”
The candid admission was caught on film as an 18-year-old Meghan and then best friend Ninaki Priddy filmed themselves driving around Los Angeles.
Why was Thomas Markle not at the Royal Wedding?
Thomas Markle Sr did not attend the Royal Wedding, with Kensington Palace releasing a statement from Meghan on May 17, 2018.
It read: "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.
"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."
Markle is said to have undergone heart surgery on May 16 – just three days before his daughter's wedding.
The operation was a success.
In his absence, Prince Charles stepped in to escort Meghan from the nave to the altar when she married Prince Harry in St George's Chapel.
Meghan chose to walk down the aisle by herself, being met halfway by Prince Charles, and Thomas told the US press that she "looked beautiful" when he watched the wedding.
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