Meghan Markle's father and the Royal Wedding: a timeline of events

It was one of the most talked-about events in years, but Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding was somewhat overshadowed in the days before by Thomas Markle Sr, the father of the bride.
 
The former Hollywood lighting director, 73, separated from Meghan’s mother Doria Ragland when their daughter was six, and has since relocated to Mexico from the USA.
 
While there have been mixed reports as to the nature of Thomas and Meghan's relationship, Kensington Palace initially confirmed he would walk her down the aisle at Windsor Castle on May 19.

Now Thomas has dismissed claims that he asked his daughter for money before she married into the royal family, telling TMZ reports that he contacted her on at least two occasions but she refused to help him out are wrong, dismissing them as "just plain b*****t".

To help you make sense of the media storm, allegations and conflicting reports preceding this latest development, here is a clear timeline of how the Thomas Markle Sr drama unfolded:
 
April 4: Photos emerge online of Thomas Markle Sr studying a book titled Images of Britain: A Pictorial Journey Through History while sitting in a Starbucks in Mexico.

May 9: A series of paparazzi photos of Thomas Sr appearing to prepare for his daughter’s wedding emerge online and receive widespread media coverage.

The images depict him being fitted for a suit, exercising, and browsing photos of the royal couple on an internet cafe computer in Mexico. 

May 12: The Daily Mail alleges Thomas Sr worked with paparazzi to stage the pre-wedding photos, believed to have sold globally for as much as AU$180,000.
 
CCTV footage obtained by the publication shows the retired lighting director arriving at the internet cafe with a photographer, before sitting in front of a computer and posing for photos.

The Daily Mail also claims Kensington Palace had contacted media companies weeks earlier, asking them not to publish images of Thomas Sr and to stop pursuing him.

He supposedly tells the website he struck the photo deal to “recast his image”, rather than for monetary reasons, and meant no harm to the Royal Family or his daughter. 
 
The report also claims Thomas Sr says he’d suffered a heart attack six days earlier but checked himself out of hospital in order to attend the wedding.

May 17: Meghan confirms her father will not be attending the wedding in a statement released by Kensington Palace.

"I have always cared for my father and hope he can be given the space he needs to focus on his health," it read.

May 18: Kensington Palace shares an update on the wedding plans, revealing the bride-to-be asked Prince Charles - her future father-in-law - to accompany down the aisle of the Quire of St George's Chapel.

“The Prince of Wales is pleased to be able to welcome Ms. Markle to The Royal Family in this way,” the statement concludes.

May 18: Thomas St tells TMZ he is "honoured and grateful" Prince Charles is accompanying his daughter down the aisle, and says he will "proudly" watch her wedding as he recovers from surgery.

May 19: Meghan weds Prince Harry at Windsor Castle. Her mother Doria Ragland is the only member of her family in attendance, and travels with her daughter to the Chapel from their hotel.

Once again speaking to TMZ, her father says watching the event was "emotional and joyful".

"My baby looks beautiful and she looks very happy. I wish I were there and I wish them all my love and all happiness," he adds.

May 22: In an interview with 2Day 104.1's Em, Grant and Ed radio show, Samantha Markle says her father is still recovering from his surgery in hospital.

She also says he had some mixed emotions while watching the wedding from afar.

"It was quite difficult for him as much as he wanted to be there to walk her down the aisle, and on the other hand it was a huge honour that Prince Charles walked her down the aisle on his behalf," she tells the hosts.

"So it was bitter but definitely sweet at the same time."

Samantha also condemns the speculation over whether Thomas Sr really did have heart surgery as "media rubbish".

May 22: Royal expert Katie Nicholl tells ET the newlywed Duke and Duchess of Sussex are planning to visit Thomas Sr in Mexico in the not-too-distant future. If the trip goes ahead, it will be the first time Harry has met his father-in-law in person.

"He feels it's very important that he gets to meet Thomas," Nicholl tells the website.

"Of course, Meghan - who's been really concerned about her father's health - is keen to go see him as soon as possible."

May 31: Thomas tells TMZ that the claims he asked Meghan for money are rubbish, admitting that his retirement fund is plenty enough. However, he did say that his daughter would help him out if he ever needs it.