Royal wedding 2018: Prince Charles walks Meghan Markle down the aisle

Prince Charles escorted Meghan Markle down the aisle on Saturday, filling in for her father, Thomas Markle, who underwent heart surgery just days ago.

Speculation was frantic in the days leading up to the royal wedding as Thomas Markle suffered a heart episode before making his scheduled arrival in the United Kingdom. It was thought that Meghan's mother, Doria Ragland, might walk her down the aisle, but Kensington Palace announced Friday that it was Charles who would do the honor.

Meghan walked halfway down the aisle at St. George's Chapel herself before Charles joined her.

At the end of the walk, Prince Charles stepped aside so she could stand by his son's side.

Although Markle family drama dominated the headlines in the weeks before the ceremony, there was no hint of concern on Meghan's face as she arrived at Windsor Castle with her mom, believed to be her only family member in attendance.