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The Prince and Princess of Wales have had a fairly low-key, drama-free romance, at least in public and as far as royal relationships go. Still, insiders insist the famous royals don’t always see eye to eye. In fact, an alleged insider claims the couple is currently at odds over how the royal family should respond to Thomas Markle Sr.’s arrest, now that Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are back in the United Kingdom.

Thomas Markle Sr., Meghan Markle’s father, has been arrested

On November 6, FBI agents arrested Thomas Markle Sr., 82, at an assisted living facility in Lakeland, Florida. He was charged with one count of possessing child abuse material. The arrest stems from an investigation in the Philippines. The elder Markle had moved to the Philippines from Mexico but returned to the United States amid health troubles before the investigation began.

His son, Thomas Markle Jr., Meghan’s half-brother, reportedly found illegal material at his father’s former home in the Philippines and alerted Philippine police and the FBI. Illegal content was also reportedly found in a storage unit he rented in Mexico.

Meghan issued a statement following the news, saying she was “deeply distressed” and that her thoughts were with any children who may have been harmed. She also said that in 2018 she had been made aware of a letter containing disturbing allegations against her father and had been told it was being investigated. Thomas Markle Sr. and Meghan have been estranged since then. Buckingham Palace has not commented.

Prince William and Kate Middleton don’t agree on how to deal with the Thomas Markle Sr. news

According to an unnamed insider who spoke to Closer Magazine, Kate doesn’t agree with the palace’s stance so far. She reportedly believes saying nothing at all about the arrest is a mistake. The source said Kate “feels desperately sorry for Meghan,” noting that she’s a mother with two young children.

The insider suggested Kate’s feelings have caused some tension with the prince. She allegedly thinks William is being “too hard” on his sister-in-law and worries the couple could come across as “heartless” by remaining completely silent.

Prince William, meanwhile, has taken a much more distant approach. According to the insider, he feels terrible about the allegations but doesn’t believe the royal family should get involved, and he’s worried about the consequences of stepping in. Choosing to say nothing seems in line with how he has approached his brother and sister-in-law for years. While Kate seemed to be on board with that approach in the past, the seriousness of the allegations reportedly has her rethinking things.

The result, the source claimed, has been arguments, tense moments, and no agreement yet on the best way forward, though the couple is reportedly trying to find a middle ground.

A separate report from royal commentator Rob Shuter claimed William and Kate view the scandal as a Markle family matter, not a Windsor one. Neither William nor Kate has commented publicly.

The princes’ tense relationship continues

While the silence might be drawing strange looks from some critics, it’s no big surprise to anyone who has followed the royal family over the last five years. Prince William and Prince Harry have been estranged for years, and Harry’s 2023 memoir, Spare, made the rift very public. In the book, Harry wrote that a 2019 argument about Meghan turned physical, claiming William grabbed him by the collar and knocked him to the floor. Harry also wrote that William had called Meghan “difficult,” “abrasive,” and “rude.”

Further interviews and media projects have done little to heal the relationship between the brothers. There hasn’t been much love lost between Meghan and Kate, either. The sisters-in-law reportedly clashed in the lead-up to Meghan and Harry’s royal wedding, and hurt feelings have defined their distant relationship ever since.

Given that history, a statement would be a big step forward. Whether Kate’s reported push for compassion wins out remains to be seen. For now, Kensington Palace is staying silent.

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