A friend of Meghan Markle is sharing insight into how the Duchess of Sussex feels about the investigation surrounding father, Thomas Markle Sr.
“As a mum of young children herself, she is utterly devastated by all of this,” the unidentified friend told The Sun on Friday, October 23, speaking with Meghan’s blessing. “Above all, her thoughts are with any children who may have been harmed. Their welfare and protection have to come first.”
One day earlier, Meghan’s half-brother, Thomas Markle Jr., told The Sun that he allegedly found child sexual abuse material (CSAM) in boxes at their father’s home in the Philippines and alerted authorities. Thomas Sr., 82, has vehemently denied the accusations, branding the claims as “sick lies.”
“After so many years of living with deeply troubling concerns, there is also a real sense of relief that these matters are now being properly investigated,” Meghan’s friend told the outlet. “She has been guided by legal advice about what she could say publicly and has had to live with the frustration of not being able to speak openly, while trusting that the appropriate authorities would do their job.”
Meghan, 45, who has been estranged from her father since her 2018 wedding to Prince Harry, publicly addressed the accusations earlier on Friday.
“I am deeply distressed at the news that has come to light in the last 24 hours, and my thoughts are with any children who may have been harmed,” the As Ever founder said in a statement to Us. “In 2018, a letter was sent to the Metropolitan Police and Royalty and Specialist Protection. That letter was subsequently shared with me. It made troubling and disturbing allegations against my father and I was given assurances that these were being investigated.”
Meghan further explained that the letter, which reportedly accused Thomas of sexually abusing a child, was a driving force in the pair’s estrangement.
Prince Harry’s previous comments about Thomas Markle Sr. have resurfaced as Meghan Markle’s estranged father is being investigated for child sex abuse photo claims. “Of course it’s incredibly sad what happened,” Harry, 42, said in the 2022 Netflix docuseries Harry & Meghan. “She had a father before this, and now she doesn’t have a father. […]
“I hope it can now be understood that, despite certain media publications’ distortion over the years, any distance from my father and my choice to not allow him to have contact with our children, was for one reason: to protect them,” added Meghan, who shares two kids with Harry, 42. “I trusted that the authorities were doing the same for other families.”
Meghan continued, “Although the breadth of what has now been uncovered is more sickening than one could ever imagine, my sincerest hope is that justice will be fully served and that the priority remains the safety and protection of innocent children.”
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
If you or someone you know is experiencing child abuse, call or text Child Help Hotline at 1-800-422-4453.
