Meghan Markle will no longer deliver a planned keynote speech in Brussels after her father’s recent arrest left her emotionally unable to speak in public, according to reports.
The Duchess of Sussex had been due to appear alongside Prince Harry at the opening of the Lost Screen Memorial at the European Parliament on Tuesday morning, where the couple were scheduled to highlight the issue of online child safety.
Although Meghan is still expected to attend the event, Prince Harry will now deliver the speech alone.
Meghan Markle will no longer deliver a speech in Brussels (Image: Getty)
Meghan Reportedly Too Emotional to Speak
A source told The Telegraph that the Duchess had decided not to speak publicly following the arrest and court appearance of her father, Thomas Markle Sr.
“She’s just not strong enough, emotionally, to be doing any public speaking right now,” the source said.
Thomas Markle Sr was arrested by the FBI on Friday and later appeared in a Florida court, where he was charged with possession of child abuse material.
Meghan’s appearance at the Brussels event is expected to be her first public outing since allegations involving her father became public last month.
The Duke of Sussex is expected to deliver his remarks alone, with reports suggesting he hopes the circumstances surrounding his father-in-law’s arrest will be understood. Harry has never met Thomas Markle Sr.
Meghan Previously Said She Was ‘Deeply Distressed’
The Duchess has previously said she was “deeply distressed” by the allegations involving her father, from whom she has been estranged since the period leading up to her 2018 wedding to Harry.
After the speech, Meghan is expected to join her husband as they walk through the Lost Screen Memorial, an art installation created in memory of children who died after experiencing harm online.
The installation features large, illuminated lightboxes shaped like smartphones, displaying lock-screen photographs and personal tributes to the children being remembered.
Details of Thomas Markle Sr’s Arrest
Thomas Markle Sr’s arrest came after FBI agents reportedly seized material from two Los Angeles storage units he had rented for nearly two decades.
He faces one count of possession of child pornography.
According to the report, he became the subject of an investigation after his son, Thomas Markle Jr, allegedly found illegal images among his father’s belongings in Cebu City and reported the matter to police in the Philippines and the FBI last month.
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Thomas Markle Jr told The Sun that he had also alerted authorities to the Los Angeles storage facilities.
If convicted, Thomas Markle Sr could face at least 20 years in federal prison.
Following his release on bail, he was placed under home detention and electronic monitoring, while a judge also imposed travel restrictions. He did not enter a plea during his hearing in Tampa, Florida.
The court also ordered him to undergo a psychiatric examination amid concerns over whether he is able to understand the legal proceedings and properly assist his lawyer.