Brussels Child Safety Speech Cancelled
Meghan Markle canceled a planned keynote address at the European Parliament after her father, Thomas Markle Sr., was arrested on a child pornography charge, Page Six reported. The Duchess of Sussex had been scheduled to speak on Tuesday alongside Prince Harry at the Lost Screen Memorial exhibition in Brussels, Belgium.
She’s just not strong enough, emotionally, to be doing any public speaking right now,
an insider told The Telegraph on Monday.
Thomas Markle Sr. arrested for child pornography possession
Thomas Markle Sr. was arrested by the FBI in Florida on Friday on one count of possession of child pornography, according to ABC News. Federal authorities stated that illegal materials were allegedly discovered in storage units he rented in Los Angeles, which were searched by authorities on Oct. 30 and Nov. 4.
Following his arrest, Thomas Markle Sr. appeared in the U.S. District Court in Tampa, Florida, where he did not enter a plea, ABC News reported. A judge ordered him released on his own recognizance with electronic monitoring and returned him to the Maravida Senior Living care home in Lakeland, Florida, where he had been detained.
Investigations in the Philippines follow earlier allegations
The arrest follows an earlier investigation in the Philippines last month regarding allegations of possessing child sexual abuse material, as reported by Page Six. The Philippine Department of Justice subsequently confirmed to ABC News that the matter was under investigation by an anti-trafficking task force in Cebu.
Thomas Markle Sr. previously denied those claims in an October interview with The Daily Mail, calling them sick lies
and the worst thing anyone could accuse me of.
When initial allegations surfaced, Meghan told Page Six in a statement that she was deeply disturbed
and that the claims had caused their estrangement.
Prince Harry Remains Scheduled to Speak
Despite her withdrawal from the speaking roster, Meghan, 45, is still set to appear with Prince Harry, 42, at the Brussels exhibition.
The memorial exhibition features 50 mobile phones displaying lock screens of children who have died from online harm. After the Duke of Sussex delivers his remarks, European Parliament President Robert Metsola will lead the royal couple through the art installation before Prince Harry takes part in a panel discussion titled Beyond Promises: Building a Digital Future That Works for Children,
Yahoo reported.
Why Meghan Markle cancelled her Brussels speech
Why did Meghan Markle cancel her speech in Brussels?
An insider told The Telegraph that she is not emotionally strong enough for public speaking right now following her father’s arrest on federal child pornography charges.
What are the charges against Thomas Markle Sr.?
Federal authorities arrested him on one count of possession of child pornography after searching storage units in Los Angeles, according to ABC News.
Is Prince Harry still attending the European Parliament event?
Yes.
Where was Thomas Markle Sr. detained after his court appearance?
A judge ordered him to home detention with electronic monitoring at the Maravida Senior Living care home in Lakeland, Florida.
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