EXCLUSIVE: Meghan Markle 'Planning to Stay in the Shadows' as Her Father is Jailed

Meghan Markle is said to be set to retreat from the public spotlight as she struggles with the fallout from her estranged father's imprisonment, following allegations involving child sexual abuse material that have plunged her family into crisis.

As RadarOnline.com reported, the Duchess of Sussex, 45, this week withdrew from a planned speech at the European Parliament in Brussels, leaving her husband, Prince Harry, 42, to address delegates alone.

Her father, Thomas Markle, 82, was taken into custody in Florida on Tuesday, November 10, after allegedly removing his electronic ankle monitor, days after being charged with possessing child sexual abuse material discovered in California storage units.

Meghan was said to be "not strong enough" to deliver the Brussels speech following her father's arrest.

The decision to withdraw has now fueled expectations the former Suits actress will limit her public appearances while the criminal proceedings continue.

A source claimed: "Meghan has spent years trying to build a life that is separate from the turmoil surrounding her father, and suddenly she finds herself dragged back into an incredibly painful situation. The feeling is that she needs to disappear from public view for a while and allow the legal process to unfold without becoming part of the spectacle. She knows that every appearance, every expression, and every word will be scrutinized. Right now, the last thing she wants is to be the center of another media storm and just wants to stay in the shadows.

"Harry understands just how devastating this has been for Meghan, and his priority is making sure she doesn't feel pressured into putting on a brave face for the cameras. She has spent so much of her life having to explain herself publicly, but this is something she simply cannot control.

"Harry is prepared to take on more public responsibilities while she steps away. He wants her to have the space to deal with everything privately, without feeling she has to defend herself over allegations that have nothing to do with her."

The insider noted, "For Meghan, the most upsetting aspect of this entire situation is the thought of her children eventually discovering the allegations surrounding their grandfather. She has always maintained that keeping her distance from her father was about protecting her family, and these developments have only made that issue more emotionally charged.

"She wants her kids Archie and Lilibet to enjoy their childhood without being exposed to the extraordinary public controversy surrounding their grandfather. Her instinct is to close the doors, retreat into family life and shield them from as much of this as possible.

"There is a huge difference between being estranged from a parent and seeing that parent become the subject of allegations as disturbing as these. Meghan may not have had a relationship with her father for years, but that doesn't mean the situation is any less distressing."

"There is shock, sadness and an overwhelming sense that her family's private difficulties have become an international story," the source noted. "She is facing questions that nobody in her position would ever want to confront, and withdrawing from public engagements may be the only way she feels able to regain some privacy.

"Meghan has also worked hard to establish her own identity through her charitable work and business projects, and there is understandable concern that everything she does could now be overshadowed by her father's criminal case. Even an appearance intended to highlight an important cause risks becoming another opportunity for questions about her family.

"She doesn't want the allegations to define her public life or distract from the organizations she supports. For now, keeping a low profile feels like the most sensible option, even if that means putting some of her plans on hold."

Meghan this week accompanied Harry to the European Parliament but remained silent as he delivered a keynote address about protecting children from online harm.

Observers suggested the Duchess appeared unusually subdued, with the couple's customary public displays of affection seemingly taking on additional significance.

The latest developments followed Thomas' arrest on Friday after investigators seized approximately 78 items, including photographic negatives, slides and books, from storage facilities in the Los Angeles area.

Authorities allege some material contained sexual images involving minors. Thomas has been charged with one count of possession of child p-rnography.

First assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli confirmed Thomas was detained after allegedly cutting off his electronic monitoring device at approximately 1:45 am.

US magistrate judge Lindsay Griffin subsequently ordered Thomas to remain in custody and requested a mental competency assessment, citing concerns about his health, age, and understanding of the proceedings.

Meghan previously described herself as "deeply distressed" by the allegations and disclosed receiving a warning about her father in 2019.

She said: "I hope it can now be understood that, despite certain media publications' distortion over the years, any distance from my father and my choice to not allow him to have contact with our children was for one reason: to protect them."

Meanwhile, Harry proceeded with his Brussels address, emphasizing the importance of protecting young people online.

He said: "I'm not here as an expert or a politician. I'm here as a father. My wife, as a mother."

"They deserve to feel safe wherever they are. In a classroom. On a playground. At any time, no matter where they are," Harry added.