Meghan Markle's painful family revelations have raised one uncomfortable question about how quickly she has been judged, according to a new opinion piece by Alicia Liberty.
For almost a decade, the former actress has been portrayed by some as a daughter who turned her back on her family after marrying into royalty, yet her latest revelation raises questions about how much of the story the public has never known.
A Long-Standing Estrangement
Since her royal wedding in 2018, the Duchess's estrangement from her father has become one of the most fiercely debated chapters of her life, with Thomas Markle's absence from the ceremony, their subsequent public disagreements and his repeated media interviews fuelling a narrative that the Duchess had cruelly abandoned him.
But on October 23, Meghan revealed that she had received a letter containing deeply disturbing allegations about her father, which she says influenced her decision to keep him away from Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
Allegations and Investigation
Thomas, 82, is now reportedly under investigation by authorities in the Philippines over allegations concerning child sexual abuse material, accusations he strongly denies.
While Thomas strongly denies the allegations, the piece states that sympathy lies with those potentially affected and the children whose safety must always come first, because safeguarding is far too serious to be overshadowed by personal opinions, family disputes or royal drama.
Protecting Archie and Lilibet
The piece highlights Meghan's explanation for keeping her children away from their grandfather, noting she insisted the decision had been made to protect them, something every parent should have the right to do without facing relentless public condemnation.
It adds that being someone's father doesn't automatically entitle them to a relationship with their grandchildren, regardless of the circumstances.
The Metropolitan Police has now referred its handling of the earlier allegations to the police watchdog after acknowledging that information was not passed to other law enforcement agencies.
The piece concludes that whatever the investigation ultimately establishes, protecting her children should never be something Meghan has to apologise for.
