The Duke and Duchess of Sussex made their first public appearance since Meghan's father, Thomas Markle Sr, was charged with possession of child sexual abuse material. At the European Parliament in Brussels on Tuesday, Meghan appeared to be "almost fighting back tears," while Harry looked "concerned," according to body language specialist Susan Constantine.
First Public Outing Since Arrest
The visit followed days after Thomas Markle Sr was charged and reportedly had his electronic tag removed, which he was required to wear while on bail. He remains in custody. Meghan declined to address the arrest when pressed by reporters on November 10.
She had been scheduled to deliver a speech about the dangers children encounter online but chose not to, allegedly feeling "not strong enough" to speak before dignitaries.
Body Language and Emotional Moments
Constantine told Page Six that Harry appeared especially "concerned" with his surroundings. "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," she said. Meghan "maintained her composure and put on a brave face for the cameras, but a visible heaviness lingered in her expression," Constantine noted, adding "it almost appears as though she is fighting back tears."
Photographs captured Meghan comforting Sandra Spitaels, whose 15-year-old son Glenn took his own life in 2017 after a nude image of him was posted online. Meghan placed her hand on Spitaels's back, gently rubbing it, and Harry asked, "Are you OK?"
Harry's Address on Online Safety
Meghan paid close attention to Harry's address highlighting threats from social media. He stated: "Every single person in this room, whether parents or not, have a responsibility and a duty to be able to do what is effectively common sense and protect our children from these companies who clearly don't care." He added: "Every time you look at your phone, just remember that there's a child out there that is looking at that phone 20, 30 times more, probably considering taking their life because they don't know how to escape."
Meghan is reportedly immersing herself in work and family life during the ongoing legal battle with her father, "believing she can do something good through that work," an insider revealed.
