MEGHAN Markle’s father will not be walking his daughter down the aisle, or attending, as planned, according to reports.

It comes on the day Ms Markle’s half-sister claimed she was to blame for the controversy surrounding their father over the alleged staging of paparazzi photographs.

Kensington Palace said in a statement tonight: “This is a deeply personal moment for Ms. Markle in the days before her wedding.

“She and Prince Harry ask again for understanding and respect to be extended to Mr. Markle in this difficult situation.”

Samantha Markle tweeted it was her idea Thomas Markle pose for what she described as "positive photos" in a bid to combat his "bad" portrayal in the press, but stated it was not done for money.

The pictures were published earlier this month in a number of newspapers and news websites showing Mr Markle in a series of royal wedding related activities, apparently unaware he was being snapped.

Mr Markle, who had been due to walk his daughter down the aisle when she marries Prince Harry this Saturday, was pictured being measured for what was thought to be his wedding suit, looking at screen pictures of Meghan and Prince Harry while in an internet cafe, and reading a picture book about Britain while having a coffee.

Ms Markle's half- sister tweeted: "The bad press over my father doing staged photos is my fault.

"The media was unfairly making him look bad so I suggested he do positive photos for his benefit and the benefit of the royal family.

"We had no idea he would be taken advantage of. It was not for money."

She ended her tweet with the official Kensington Palace Twitter address so it was likely to be seen by officials in Harry's household.

The Mail on Sunday newspaper reported the story at the weekend claiming the images were staged and published CCTV footage stills of the US actress' father in the internet cafe with a photographer.

The story broke just a few hours after Mr Markle, a former lighting director, complained about press intrusion and being photographed going about his daily life.

Meghan's mother, Doria Ragland, met her father on the set of the US soap General Hospital, where he worked as a lighting director when she was a temp in the studio. They divorced when Ms Markle was six.

Although she lived with her mother in Los Angeles, Ms Markle also spent a great deal of time with her father.