Meghan Markle is said to feel a “real sense of relief” after allegations involving her father, Thomas Markle Sr, prompted an investigation by Philippine officials, according to a friend of the Duchess.
The friend said Meghan, who is a mother of young children, was “utterly devastated” by the claims and was primarily concerned with the welfare of any children who may have been harmed.
“Above all, her thoughts are with any children who may have been harmed. Their welfare and protection have to come first,” the friend said.
The friend added that Meghan had lived for years with “deeply troubling concerns” and welcomed the fact that the allegations were now being examined by the appropriate authorities.
“After so many years of living with deeply troubling concerns, there is also a real sense of relief that these matters are now being properly investigated,” they said.
Meghan is also said to have been guided by legal advice over what she could say publicly. The friend said she had been frustrated at being unable to speak openly while trusting authorities to carry out their work.
Meghan has previously said she was “deeply distressed” by the accusations against her father and claimed she received a report containing similar allegations in a letter in 2018. “It made troubling and disturbing allegations against my father, and I was given assurances that these were being investigated,” she said.
The investigation followed allegations made by Thomas Markle Jr to Philippine officials, after he said he had found “hundreds, if not thousands” of alleged child pornography images at his father’s home and was obliged to report them.
The claims have divided the Markle family. Meghan’s half-sister, Samantha Markle, has alleged that Thomas Jr fabricated them, while Thomas Markle Sr has adamantly denied the accusations.
