The palace released the statement to ET on Monday following reports that the former 'Suits' star's father, Thomas Markle, is skipping the May 19 nuptials.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are asking for "understanding and respect" in the days leading up to their royal wedding.
The couple will say "I do" at St. George's Chapel on May 19, but after TMZ reported on Monday that the former Suits star's father, Thomas Markle, is skipping the nuptials following a recent photo controversy, there may be some last-minute switch-ups on who, if anyone, will walk her down the aisle.
In regard to the report, which also noted that Thomas suffered a heart attack just six days ago, Kensington Palace released a statement to ET.
"This is a deeply personal moment for Ms. Markle in the days before her wedding," the statement reads. "She and Prince Harry ask again for understanding and respect to be extended to Mr. Markle in this difficult situation."
As ET previously reported, Thomas was accused over the weekend of staging paparazzi photos after he was recently photographed at an internet cafe researching the royal couple. According to TMZ, Thomas regrets taking the photos, calling them "stupid and hammy," and will not be attending the wedding because he doesn't want to embarrass his daughter or the royal family.
Earlier on Monday, ET's Kevin Frazier spoke with British TV personality Piers Morgan, who is also an editor-at-large at the Daily Mail, about the allegations against Meghan's dad.
"It's really embarrassing, to be honest, because for the last few weeks the British press in particular have been warned off Thomas Markle, Meghan's father, told to leave him alone," Morgan pointed out. "Now we discover that the reason for this is he's been colluding with a paparazzi in Mexico and staging pictures and presumably making money from them. So, mortifying for the royal family, enraging for Meghan Markle."
ET has reached out to Thomas for comment.
Keep up with all of ET's coverage of the royal wedding as we count down to May 19.
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