Meghan Markle recently visited Brussels with Prince Harry. However, she did not deliver her scheduled speech. A source said the Duchess of Sussex was “not strong enough, emotionally” to make a public address following her estranged father’s arrest.
Source says Meghan Markle is “not strong enough, emotionally” to speak publicly
Meghan’s appearance marked her first public engagement after her father, Thomas Markle Sr., was arrested in Florida. He faces a federal charge of possessing child sexual abuse material. The investigation began after his son reportedly found suspected child sexual abuse material among his father’s belongings in the Philippines. Authorities released Thomas following his initial court appearance under strict conditions. He has denied the allegations, and the charge has not been proven in court.
The couple attended the opening of the Lost Screen Memorial at the European Parliament. The installation honors children who have died following online harm. Harry delivered a keynote address calling for greater accountability from technology companies and stronger protections for children online.
Meghan was also scheduled to deliver an address but ultimately attended the event without speaking. According to People, a source told The Telegraph on Nov. 9 that she was “just not strong enough, emotionally, to be doing any public speaking right now.”
A source told People that Meghan is focusing on her work commitments to cope with her family’s current difficulties. “Keeping her work commitments doesn’t mean she’s any less upset,” the insider explained. “She’s trying to focus on her family, her kids and the work that matters to her.” The source added that Meghan believed she could do some good through her work, which was also helping her through this difficult period.
During the Brussels event, Meghan also shared an emotional moment with Sandra Spitaels, whose 15-year-old son, Glenn, died by suicide in 2017. His death followed the circulation of an intimate photo of him online.
Meghan previously said she was “deeply distressed” by the allegations against her estranged father. She also explained that she had kept her children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, away from him to protect them.
