From his hospital bed in the US, Thomas Markle has shared his thoughts as his daughter - now to be known as the Duchess of Sussex - married Prince Harry in what has been called an "intimate ceremony".

Causing an uproar ahead of the wedding, Markle's father was outed for staging photos with paparazzi and eventually announced he was unable to walk his daughter down the aisle after undergoing heart surgery.

But he has told TMZ he was able to watch the ceremony on TV and thought his daughter looked "beautiful".

He described it as "emotional and joyful":

"My baby looks beautiful and she looks very happy.

"I wish I were there and I wish them all my love and all happiness."

On Monday, the former TV lighting director announced he would no longer attend the wedding after it was revealed that he had been staging paparazzi photos for cash. The next day he changed his mind and TMZ reported he still wanted to attend.

Photographers have been following Thomas Markle Sr. around non-stop, and the pictures are perfect https://t.co/S0LIKv0svD

— New York Magazine (@NYMag) May 11, 2018

Then, on Wednesday he was reportedly forced to have major heart surgery which meant he was unable to travel. His hope of attending the wedding was finally dashed.

As rumours swirled over who would walk Markle down the aisle, a statement was released by Kensington Palace:

"Ms Meghan Markle has asked His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales to accompany her down the aisle of the Quire of St George's Chapel on her Wedding Day.

"The Prince of Wales is please to be able to welcome Ms Markle to the Royal Family in this way."