Meghan Markle's father will no longer attend the royal wedding this weekend, where he was set to walk his daughter down the aisle, according to a new report. The change comes amid a brewing scandal and news that he secretly suffered a heart attack last week.
![Slide 7 of 22: The British royal line has a long history of remaining exclusively white, which makes Meghan Markle's bi-racial ancestry something to celebrate. Born to an African-American mom and a Caucasian dad, Meghan is giving people of color the chance to dream about their own royal fairy tale romances. Interestingly, Meghan might not be the only bride of color in Britain's royal past. In fact, many historians believe that Queen Charlotte (the great-great-great-great grandmother of Queen Elizabeth II) might have had African ancestry in her past, although it was hidden and never publicly celebrated as it is today.]({"default":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/AAwKomU.img?h=416&w=799&m=6&q=60&u=t&o=f&l=f&x=1590&y=669","size3column":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/AAwKomU.img?h=416&w=624&m=6&q=60&u=t&o=f&l=f&x=1590&y=669","size2column":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/AAwKomU.img?h=416&w=624&m=6&q=60&u=t&o=f&l=f&x=1590&y=669"} "The British royal line has a long history of remaining exclusively white, which makes Meghan Markle'... - PA Images via Getty Images")
But it appears Thomas Markle Sr.'s health wasn't the overriding factor in his decision to skip the nuptials. Instead, it's over the fallout from reportedly selling photos of himself to a paparazzi agency.
Thomas simply "doesn't want to embarrass the Royal Family or his daughter," TMZ said.
In recent weeks, Thomas has been snapped by a paparazzi photographer prepping for the wedding in various ways. He was pictured doing everything from being measured for a suit by a purported tailor to lifting weights while walking outdoors to reading a story about his daughter and Harry on a computer at an internet cafe.
![Meghan Markle wearing a hat: Meghan Markle attends the Anzac Day Dawn Service in London on April 25, 2018.]({"default":{"load":"default","w":"80","h":"53","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/AAxg1sr.img?h=533&w=799&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f&x=1453&y=747"},"size3column":{"load":"default","w":"62","h":"42","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/AAxg1sr.img?h=417&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f&x=1453&y=747"},"size2column":{"load":"default","w":"62","h":"42","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/AAxg1sr.img?h=417&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f&x=1453&y=747"}})
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Meghan Markle attends the Anzac Day Dawn Service in London on April 25, 2018.
The whole thing was allegedly set up for financial gain, The MailOnline reported, adding that Thomas stood to make more than $100,000 from the pictures, although he says the number was far south of that.
Thomas' daughter Samantha has taken the blame for the staged pics.
![Meghan Markle holding a bag: Meghan Markle visits Belfast on March 23, 2018.]({"default":{"load":"default","w":"80","h":"149","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/AAxh2Hh.img?h=1487&w=799&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f&x=1132&y=598"},"size3column":{"load":"default","w":"62","h":"116","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/AAxh2Hh.img?h=1162&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f&x=1132&y=598"},"size2column":{"load":"default","w":"62","h":"116","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/AAxh2Hh.img?h=1162&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f&x=1132&y=598"}})
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Meghan Markle visits Belfast on March 23, 2018.
TMZ reportedly spoke to Thomas who told them he didn't strike up the deal primary with money on his mind. The 73-year-old should he thought the photos would help "recast" his image in the public eye, but he now admits the pictures "stupid and hammy."
Thomas said he's been offered up to $100,000 to do interviews about Meghan ever since she started dating Prince Harry, but he's turned down all of them. This time, though, he felt as though no harm could come from a few photos.
![FILE - In this April 25, 2018 file photo, Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan Markle attend a Service of Thanksgiving and Commemoration on ANZAC Day at Westminster Abbey in London. The couple will wed on May 19. (Eddie Mulholland/Pool via AP, File)]({"default":{"load":"default","w":"80","h":"53","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/AAx5qHX.img?h=529&w=799&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f&x=1338&y=516"},"size3column":{"load":"default","w":"62","h":"41","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/AAx5qHX.img?h=413&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f&x=1338&y=516"},"size2column":{"load":"default","w":"62","h":"41","src":"//img-s-msn-com.akamaized.net/tenant/amp/entityid/AAx5qHX.img?h=413&w=624&m=6&q=60&o=f&l=f&x=1338&y=516"}})
© The Associated Press
FILE - In this April 25, 2018 file photo, Britain's Prince Harry and Meghan Markle attend a Service of Thanksgiving and Commemoration on ANZAC Day at Westminster Abbey in London. The couple will wed on May 19. (Eddie Mulholland/Pool via AP, File)
He "now deeply regrets" the agreement with the paparazzi agency, TMZ says.
To complicate matters, Thomas said he suffered a heart attack six days ago but checked himself out of the hospital so he could attend the wedding. Now, though, it seems that he'll stay on the sidelines when Meghan formally becomes a royal.
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