Skip to main content

Despite a change of plans as Meghan Markle withdrew from a speaking engagement at the Lost Screen Memorial event in Brussels, she still joined Prince Harry in Belgium this morning as he gave an emotional speech.

The decision not to give her own speech came in the wake of the scandal surrounding the arrest of Meghan Markle’s father, Thomas, by the FBI in Florida this week, on suspicion of possession of child sexual abuse images, according to Good Morning America and the Daily Express U.S.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrived at the European Parliament in Brussels dressed in all black. This was Meghan Markle’s first public appearance since her father was arrested. Some sources claim that the reason the 45-year-old did not give her planned speech was because she reportedly did not feel strong enough emotionally to speak in public.

Prince Harry gave his speech as planned while Meghan Markle attended in support of the Lost Screen Memorial, an art installation championed and created by the Archewell Foundation, which was established by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

The Duke of Sussex presented his own speech, becoming visibly emotional, according to Town & Country, and he was also featured on a panel at the European Parliament in a forum related to safety for children online.

Meghan Markle has been in the middle of a media firestorm since her father, 82-year-old Thomas Markle, was arrested in connection with child abuse images. The horrific finding was made by Markle’s half brother, Thomas Markle Jr., 60, at Thomas Markle Sr.’s home in the city of Cebu, in the Philippines, according to The Sun.

Thomas Jr. told the outlet he had made a sworn statement to child abuse police in the Philippines, stating he had “no option but to report” his own father.

According to The Sun, Markle Jr. said, “I have supported, cared for him and helped him for years — but that stops now.” He added, “I won’t speak to my father ever again unless I’m called to give evidence against him.”

The news has only served to harm Meghan Markle’s already tarnished reputation.

She famously had a falling out with her father over photos he later admitted he staged with paparazzi. She discussed that issue when she spoke with Oprah Winfrey in a rare television interview. In it, she said she felt betrayed after he denied speaking to the press before her wedding. “If we were going to use the word betrayal, it’s because when I asked him … he said, ‘No, absolutely not.’”

Despite her appearance at the Brussels event Tuesday, no explanation was given for her decision not to give her speech as planned. It will be interesting to see if the Duchess of Sussex will ever publicly address her father’s arrest in the near future.

Best in News