Meghan Markle set to break with tradition and deliver speech at her wedding
Meghan Markle is set to give a speech at her wedding to Prince Harry this spring in place of her father, in a break with royal tradition.
Ms Markle, 36, is understood to be ready to step in and deliver a speech at the reception, which will follow her wedding to Prince Harry, 33, at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle, due to be attended by 800 people, on May 19.
The former American actress, who is expected to be made a Duchess on the day, is planning an "affectionate" tribute to Harry, in a speech that will offer thanks to the Queen and perhaps even some jokes, it has been reported.
Her father, Thomas, 73, is know to be a private individual and the former Hollywood lighting director, who now lives in Mexico, is due to walk the bride down the aisle but is unlikely to deliver a speech, according to The Sunday Times.
There had already been a break with royal customs even before Prince Harry had proposed to Ms Markle last year.
He invited Doria, her mother, to join them both at the Invictus Games in September, before breaking with tradition by asking for her blessing, as well as that of her father.
Prince Harry has not yet announced his best man, but it is thought that he will choose his older brother, the Duke of Cambridge. Harry was Prince William's best man at his wedding to Kate Middleton in 2011.
The revelation that Ms Markle is prepared to give a speech on the day is perhaps unsurprising. In 2015, she told a UN gathering: “I am proud to be a woman and a feminist ... A wife is equal to her husband.”
The following year she described US President Donald Trump as "divisive" and "misogynistic".
In an interview to be aired on night, Mr Trump revealed that he was unaware of an invitation to attend the wedding.
Asked by Piers Morgan whether he had received an invite, he replied: "Not that I know of."
When Mr Morgan reminded him of Ms Markle's comments in 2016, he said: "Well, I still hope they're happy."
Kensington Palace declined to comment on whether Ms Markle would deliver a speech at the reception.
