Meghan Markle canceled a speech about child safety after her father, Thomas Markle Sr., was arrested on child pornography charges.
The Duchess of Sussex was scheduled to deliver a speech on Tuesday at the Lost Screen Memorial, an exhibition honoring children who have died as a result of online attacks, at the European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium.
“She’s just not strong enough, emotionally, to speak publicly at the moment,” a source told the Telegraph on Monday.
However, Meghan, 45, is still expected to appear with her husband Prince Harry, 42, at the event, and the latter is still scheduled to deliver his speech.
The source claimed the hope was that the Duke of Sussex’s words would be understood in the context of Thomas Sr’s arrest.
The “Suits” alum and Harry will tour the art installation before the latter’s panel discussion.
The memorial features 50 phones with lock screens of children who died as a result of the harmful side effects of social media.
A representative for the couple was not immediately available to Page Six for comment.
Thomas Sr. was arrested Friday following an investigation last month in the Philippines, where he faced allegations of possession of child pornography.
Thomas Sr. was arrested at Maravida Senior Living nursing home in Lakeland, Florida, after authorities searched his storage units on October 30 and November 4.
He appeared in court shortly after his arrest and was returned to the care facility.
When the allegations against Meghan surfaced, she told Page Six via a statement that she was “deeply disturbed,” explaining that the allegations led to their separation.
Meghan shared that she became aware of the allegations against her father in 2018, when she initially received a letter from the London Metropolitan Police and Royalties Protection and Specialists.
“While the scale of what has been uncovered is more sickening than we could ever imagine,” Meghan hopes that “justice will be fully served and that the priority remains the safety and protection of innocent children,” the statement read.
Thomas Sr. has maintained his innocence, previously denying the allegations against him.
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-330-0226.
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