When Meghan Markle’s father pulled out of attending her big day the question on everyone’s lips was who would be walking his daughter down the aisle instead.

Thomas Markle told friends that his ex-wife, Doria Ragland , should be the one to give Meghan away so it came as a huge surprise when Meghan released a statement revealing Prince Charles would be taking that honour.

But giving what we now know about the reported rift between Meghan and Kate and the Duchess of Sussex’s suggestion she didn’t feel entirely welcome with all members of the royal family, Charles’ decision makes perfect sense.

Could it be that Charles was simply trying to act as peacemaker between his two sons’ other halves and to make Meghan feel more part of the family?

After all, months earlier he had attempted to smooth things over by engineering an invitation to Anmer Hall – William and Kate’s country home near Sandringham in a cunning bid to bring the couples together.