Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's sudden move back to the UK at the end of August has prompted a royal expert to question the timing, suggesting it "can't be a coincidence" that the Duchess wanted to leave the US.
The couple, who quit their royal roles in 2020 and lived in California for six years, made a speedy return across the Atlantic. Speaking to the Daily Expresso podcast, royal expert Charlotte Griffiths said: "I thought the timing was quite odd because they admitted they came over in such a rush."
The Timing Question
Griffiths noted that around July, Thomas Markle Jr had started "touting around this story about his dad," before it all came out. She said: "I feel like it can't be a coincidence that she [Meghan] wants to just get away from the States."
She also pointed out that Meghan's father, Thomas Markle Sr, is now in Florida, no longer in the Philippines. Griffiths added: "Something about me thinks, I wonder if they were trying to get away from that whole thing, and who could blame them if they were? But also just to be closer to Charles and I think that's fair enough."
Father's Arrest
Thomas Markle Sr was arrested and charged in the US over his alleged collection of child pornography. He was seen being wheeled out of his care home wearing handcuffs. The arrest by the FBI came after his care home in Lakeland, Florida, was raided following the discovery of an unspecified amount of indecent material at locations connected to Markle in the Philippines and Mexico in recent weeks.
The investigation was launched after his son claimed he had found a collection of images belonging to their father at his former home in the Philippines. Prior to the arrest, Meghan released a statement addressing the allegations. Thomas Markle Sr has denied any wrongdoing.
Meghan's Statement
In her statement, Meghan said: "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." She said that when she received a letter outlining allegations against her father, she was "given assurance that these were being investigated."
She added she hoped it could be understood why she had kept her distance from her father and did "not allow him to have contact with our children" — "to protect them." Meghan said she had "trusted that the authorities were doing the same for other families." She described the allegations as "more sickening than one could ever imagine" and said her "sincerest hope is that justice will be fully served and that the priority remains the safety and protection of innocent children."
The couple are now reportedly living in the Cotswolds.
