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Meghan Markle's dad on the moment Prince Harry asked for permission to marry his daughter.

The royal wedding may be over, but Meghan Markle‘s family certainly isn’t going anywhere.

In a new tell-all interview with Good Morning Britain, Meghan’s dad, Thomas Markle, has spoken about his 36-year-old daughter’s relationship with Prince Harry, including how the 33-year-old royal asked for his permission before marrying her.

The 73-year-old said Meghan called to tell him she was engaged, before then handing the phone over to Harry.

“Meghan told me first and then a few times after that Harry got on the phone with her and asked for her hand over the phone,” he said.

“I said, ‘You’re a gentleman, promise me you’ll never raise a hand against my daughter and of course I give you my permission.'”

He said Meghan had first told him she was dating Harry before the news was made public to the rest of the world, initially telling her dad she had a new boyfriend, before then saying he was British, and later adding that he was a prince.

For security reasons, Thomas was told to call Harry ‘H’, and he said he got to know the young royal over the phone.

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Speaking about Harry, Thomas said he was “great”, “smart” and an “interesting guy”, and he thought he was a “great pick” for his daughter.

Thomas added that the three of them had had an emotional conversation when it became evident he wouldn’t be able to attend their wedding last month, citing health reasons.

“They were disappointed. Meghan cried, I’m sure, and they both said ‘Take care of yourself, we are really worried about you,'” he said.

“I absolutely wanted to walk my daughter down the aisle.”

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Kensington Palace addressed Thomas’ absence from the wedding in a statement to Us Weekly at the time.

“This is a deeply personal moment for Ms Markle in the days before her wedding,” a spokesperson said on May 14 – just five days out from the wedding.

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

After being admitted to hospital with heart problems, Thomas told Good Morning Britain that he ended up watching his daughter’s wedding on TV in a room his friends had rented for him.

He said he felt “jealous” of everybody who was there, and was upset he was just another “footnote in history”, but he said “thank God” Prince Charles, 69, was on hand to walk his daughter down the aisle.

Thomas also spoke about the paparazzi scandal – in which he was busted staging paid photo ops – which rocked the royals just days out from the wedding.

He claimed it was never about the money, and he simply saw it as an opportunity to boost his image.

“Obviously that all went to hell,” he added.

“I feel bad about it, I apologise for it and that’s all I can do. That was a mistake.”

Something tells us this won’t be the last time we hear from Thomas Markle.

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