Meghan Markle’s Father Arrested: Where Royal Family Reportedly Stands
Thomas Markle Sr., father of Meghan Markle, was arrested on November 6 on a federal charge and returned to custody on November 10. Royal biographers disagree on whether King Charles will reach out privately to the Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry.
Thomas Markle Sr., the father of Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, was arrested on November 6 on a federal charge involving child sexual abuse materials, and royal watchers are now asking where the royal family reportedly stands on contacting her. Buckingham Palace circles have made clear they will not comment publicly, according to reports.
Markle, 82, was released on bond. He went back into custody on November 10 after the US Justice Department alleged he cut off his ankle monitor. He will stay in a corrections facility until his trial ends and faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
Biographers split on a private call
Royal biographer Ingrid Seward said any contact would be a family matter. "It is a very private matter," she said. "It is up to the king to speak to them, but he should only do it privately. I am sure he will. Any father would do that."
Fellow biographer Robert Hardman was less certain. He pointed to the legal sensitivity of the case. "Even a private conversation could be misconstrued," he said.
The arrest lands at a delicate point for Prince Harry. He has been taking tentative steps toward rebuilding his relationship with his father, King Charles. In August, the Sussexes and their children returned to the UK after six years in Montecito, California.
Meghan said to be devastated
A source close to Meghan described her reaction. "This is her dad, someone she grew up trusting and was very close to for many years," the source said. "The allegations are devastating for her. There's a lot of sadness."
Meghan and her father have had no relationship since 2018, the year she married Harry. A source said her children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, are "such a comfort to her right now."
Harry remains estranged from his brother, Prince William. Royal biographer Russell Myers said William and his wife Kate do not see life as a competition with the Sussexes. "The Sussexes are here doing their thing," he said. "William and Catherine are doing what's in front of them."
A source previously said Charles and William are aligned that Harry and Meghan should not become working royals again, despite their return to the UK. The same source said William wants no change to that arrangement.
