As Thomas Markle, the father of Meghan Markle, turns 81, royal watchers are reminded of the tumultuous events leading up to the Duchess of Sussex's wedding to Prince Harry in 2018.
The retired Hollywood lighting director found himself at the centre of a media storm after pulling out of the ceremony at the last minute due to health concerns and a scandal involving staged paparazzi photos.
The Wedding That Almost Wasn't
In the weeks before the royal wedding at Windsor Castle, Thomas Markle became embroiled in controversy when it was revealed he had collaborated with photographers to stage images of himself preparing for the big day.
The revelation came just days after he suffered a heart attack, forcing him to withdraw from walking his daughter down the aisle. This left Meghan to enter St George's Chapel alone before being met halfway by Prince Charles.
Family Tensions Continue
Since the wedding, relations between Thomas Markle and the Sussexes have remained strained. The 81-year-old has given numerous interviews criticizing the royal family and his daughter's decisions, while Meghan has spoken about the pain of their fractured relationship.
As he celebrates another birthday, questions remain about whether reconciliation is possible between the Markle patriarch and the royal couple, who now live in California with their two children.
The Legacy of a Royal Father-in-Law
Thomas Markle's journey from relative obscurity to royal in-law has been anything but smooth. His very public disputes with the Sussexes have made him one of the most controversial figures in recent royal history.
As the world watches the Sussexes build their new life in America, many wonder if this birthday might mark a turning point in this very public family drama.
