Meghan Markle's father reacts to news Prince Charles will walk her down the aisle
Meghan Markle's father is reportedly "honored and grateful" that Prince Charles will walk Meghan down the aisle in his absence at the royal wedding on Saturday.
Thomas Markle, who is unable to attend his daughter's wedding after undergoing heart surgery on Wednesday, spoke to TMZ about Friday's announcement that Charles would fill his spot, and he revealed that Meghan and Harry cleared it with him before the announcement.
Thomas told TMZ that his daughter and her fiancé called him on Thursday night and asked him to keep the news a secret so that she could reveal the news herself. He reportedly has "no reservations or shock regarding Meghan's choice."
SEE ALSO: Royal wedding: Meghan Markle and mother Doria Ragland arrive at hotel in Windsor
He went on to say that she was "super sweet on the phone, telling him she loved him and [worried] about his health," but that the couple informed him that they had "no plans" to visit him as he recovers from his surgery.
Before Friday's announcement that Charles would walk Meghan down the aisle at St. George's Chapel, reports had suspected that her mother, Doria Ragland, would be the one to do the honors. But, as Thomas says, the choice to go with Charles was ultimately Meghan's decision.
Though he won't be able to be there in person on Saturday morning, Thomas will "proudly" be watching the wedding on TV "in a secluded place with friends, hopefully with no press." He wants to visit Harry and Meghan in England "sometime in the near future," which would be his first time meeting Harry.
Thomas had planned on flying to England earlier in the week to meet Harry and the rest of the royal family. In his absence, Ragland still made the rounds, reportedly meeting Prince Charles, Duchess Camilla, Prince William and Duchess Kate on Thursday before having tea with Queen Elizabeth II alongside Harry and Meghan at Windsor Castle on Friday morning.
On Friday afternoon, Meghan and her mother were spotted entering five-star Cliveden House Hotel near the wedding venue, where they will stay overnight on Friday before taking a carriage to the wedding together on Saturday.
More from AOL.com:
Tea Time! Harry, Meghan and her mom spend time with the Queen
Prince Charles is 'very touched' Meghan asked him to walk her down aisle
Confirmed! Prince Philip will attend royal wedding after hip surgery
