Meghan Markle's father accused of faking paparazzi photos ahead of Royal Wedding

Meghan Markle's father has been accused of staging fake paparazzi photos ahead of his daughter's May 19 wedding to Prince Harry.

A series of images emerged this week depicting Thomas Markle Sr, 73, preparing for the Royal Wedding, where he will walk Meghan, 36, down the aisle.

In one photo, the Mexico-based former Hollywood lighting director appears to browse for photos of the engaged couple on a computer. Others depict him exercising and being measured up for a suit.

Now, The Daily Mail alleges Thomas collaborated with paparazzi to stage the photos, which are believed to have sold internationally for as much as $AU180,000.

The photos come after Kensington Palace warned publishers and paparazzi to respect the privacy of the father of the bride.

Thomas' arrangement with the paparazzi has been described as "seedy" and "a bit naive" by royal commentator Dickie Arbiter.

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"The man has been a recluse for so many years, he's broke, and a pap went there waving a fistful of dollars and he bit," the Queen's former royal press secretary tells TODAY.

"Unfortunately he's not too aware what goes on in the world and he fell for it."

Given Prince Harry and Meghan's hardline stance on the tabloids' presence at their wedding - the couple will only permit one reporter inside the chapel - this is likely to be unwelcome news.

"Harry would probably say, 'Oh well, here we go again' because his mother was harassed by the paparazzi," he says.

"As far as the rest of the royals are concerned, they'd say, 'We've been here before' and just take it in their stride. Today's story is tomorrow's history."

After months of speculation, Kensington Palace recently confirmed Thomas Markle Sr. would travel to the UK from his base in Mexico to give Meghan away.

Though Thomas' paparazzi photos have drawn plenty of media attention, Arbiter says they're unlikely to affect his role in the proceedings.

"He will walk her down the aisle. He's her dad and it's his job to walk her down the aisle," Arbiter tells TODAY.

"He's probably very excited about it and probably very sorry that this has all blown up the way it has.

WATCH: Victoria Arbiter tells 9Honey how Prince Harry knew Meghan was 'the one'. (Post continues.)

Thomas isn't the only member of the Markle family to raise eyebrows ahead of the Royal Wedding.

Meghan's half-brother Thomas Jr. and half-sister Samantha have both publicly slammed her for not inviting them to her wedding.

Plenty of other relatives, many of whom haven't seen the former Suits star in decades, have also come out of the woodwork to question why they've been left off the guest list.

As the saying goes, you can't choose your family...