Sky News broadcaster Emily Andrews has suggested that the British public may view Meghan Markle differently in light of allegations against her father, Thomas Markle. The 82-year-old has been accused of possessing thousands of indecent images of children.
Meghan's half-brother, Thomas Markle Jnr, allegedly reported their father to authorities after claiming he found thousands of indecent child sex abuse images inside four boxes at a former residence in Cebu, Philippines. Thomas Markle Snr has denied the allegations, describing them as "sick lies" and insisting it was "the worst thing anyone could accuse me of". He has also offered to take a lie detector test, insisting any illicit files were planted.
Duchess 'deeply distressed' by revelations
The Duchess of Sussex, 45, said she was deeply distressed by the revelations, which she learned from a letter sent to her in 2018. Meghan stated that the claims about her father originally motivated her decision to cut him off to protect her children.
It has been reported that Roslyn Loveless, Thomas Snr's first wife, wrote to Metropolitan Police saying that Thomas Snr was a threat to both Prince Harry and Meghan, and her mother, Doria.
Broadcaster says public may feel sympathy
Following the fresh revelations, Sky News presenter Sarah Jane questioned Emily on whether she believes Meghan is now being seen differently by the UK public. Emily responded: "I think a lot of people couldn't really understand why Meghan wasn't speaking to her father when he was vocally saying, 'I want to make up.' And then of course we had Prince Harry, who had fallen out with his family, and he kept saying publicly, 'I want to make up.'"
She added: "I think there were suggestions that on the one hand, how could Prince Harry expect to make up with his family when he'd been so vitriolic about them on Netflix, Oprah, his autobiography Spare. But on the other, we had Harry's father-in-law and Meghan's dad also saying the same thing, and Meghan and Harry were resolutely saying that we're completely ostracising him."
Emily said she believes the revelations against Thomas Snr explain why Meghan refused to see him. "I think a lot of people, me included, have a huge amount of sympathy for her. This is just horrendous," she continued.
Meghan's close relationship with father
Emily explained how Meghan used to regularly write about her father on her lifestyle blog, The Tig, which she had before she met Prince Harry. "She would routinely write about how close she was with her dad. She would post pictures on her Instagram and about Thanksgiving. They were obviously close," she said.
"I'm told by friends close to Harry and Meghan that she's absolutely devastated, that she's been in tears and very understandably upset."
Emily added: "She was advised back in 2019, when this letter was first written to the Metropolitan Police by Thomas Markle's first wife, Roslyn Loveless. And actually we understand this evening that Roslyn wrote to Metropolitan Police saying that Thomas Markle was a threat both to Harry, Meghan, and Meghan's mum, Doria."
The broadcaster went on: "Roslyn felt it was useful for security and threat assessment units in the UK to be aware of the true and unsavoury background of her ex-husband." She mentioned that Thomas Snr has denied all the allegations against him, adding: "But I think you're right. I think a lot of people will feel very sorry for Meghan and will perhaps see what's happened over the last six years in a different light."
