The Duchess of Sussex is struggling emotionally as allegations against her father, Thomas Markle Sr, continue to surface, according to a friend of Meghan Markle.
“It’s been really difficult. She’s really cut up,” a friend told PEOPLE. “She has young children, and I think that, alongside the victims, is just weighing on her mind. It’s traumatic.” The friend also noted “a slight sense of relief that this is all coming out,” expressing hope that “a proper investigation can take place.”
Background of the Allegations
In October, The Sun reported that Meghan’s half-brother, Thomas Markle Jr, had alerted police and the FBI to his alleged discovery of child pornographic images at Thomas Sr's home in Cebu, Philippines. Meghan's half-sister, Samantha Markle, accused Thomas Markle Jr of fabricating the claims in a story in the Daily Mail.
The Telegraph reports that Scotland Yard confirmed it had begun the process of alerting the FBI to allegations in a letter sent by Roslyn Loveless, Thomas Markle Sr’s first wife, in January 2019. The letter accused Meghan’s father of child sex abuse and claimed he had gone to the Far East “because 12-year-olds are legal there.” Thomas Markle Sr denies all the allegations, calling them "sick lies."
Meghan's Statement
Meghan released a statement reacting to the allegations, saying: "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. In 2018, a letter was sent to the Metropolitan Police and Royalty and Specialist Protection. That letter was subsequently shared with me. It made troubling and disturbing allegations against my father and I was given assurances that these were being investigated."
She added: "I hope it can now be understood that, despite certain media publications’ distortion over the years, any distance from my father and my choice to not allow him to have contact with our children, was for one reason: to protect them. I trusted that the authorities were doing the same for other families. Although the breadth of what has now been uncovered is more sickening than one could ever imagine, my sincerest hope is that justice will be fully served and that the priority remains the safety and protection of innocent children."
Meghan and Harry moved back to the UK at the end of August, and the Duchess is still trying to settle back into the country amid the ongoing situation.
