Thomas Markle Snr, the father of Meghan Markle, is being held separately from other inmates after being taken back into custody in Florida. The 82-year-old was arrested and charged with possessing child pornography last week.
Bail revoked after tag removal
After an initial release on bail, Markle Snr was taken into custody on Monday (November 9) after allegedly removing the electronic tag a court required him to wear as part of his bail conditions. He has since been placed in detention in Florida.
Judge Lindsay S. Griffin cancelled the pre-trial release on Tuesday (November 10). He instructed that Markle be held "in a corrections facility separate, to the extent practicable, from persons awaiting or serving sentences or being held in custody pending appeal," according to People magazine.
Mental health evaluation ordered
The ruling means Markle will be kept apart from other detainees or individuals accused of offences, provided prison authorities can arrange it practically. It has also been reported that Markle Sr will receive a mental health evaluation ahead of his trial.
Meghan Markle is understood to be focusing on her work and family while her father's legal proceedings continue. She is estranged from her father, having last seen him in the run-up to her 2018 wedding to Prince Harry. Meghan has also allegedly pledged that Thomas Sr will never meet her children, Archie and Lilibet. She has not commented on the allegations.
Public appearance amid proceedings
Meghan made her first public appearance since her father's arrest on Tuesday. She had been scheduled to deliver a speech at an event about the dangers children face online, but chose not to after reportedly feeling "not strong enough" to address dignitaries.
Throughout the event, Harry appeared particularly "concerned" with his surroundings, body language expert Susan Constantine told Page Six. She noted: "The repeated stroking of his beard, coupled with his serious countenance, gives the impression of someone deep in thought and perhaps unsettled by the circumstances." Meghan "maintained her composure and put on a brave face for the cameras, but a visible heaviness lingered in her expression," she said.
