Meghan Markle did not leave the UK to avoid the controversy surrounding a reported child pornography investigation involving her estranged father, Thomas Markle Sr., according to multiple royal sources.
Page Six has confirmed that the Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry, and their two children — Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5 — traveled to an undisclosed destination during the UK’s school half-term holiday.
Royal journalist Andrea Caamano dismissed speculation that Meghan’s departure was connected to the allegations against her father.
“I wouldn’t describe Meghan as having fled the UK following the allegations against her father,” Caamano told Page Six exclusively.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry (pictured in November 2023) traveled overseas with their two children.
Royal journalist Andrea Caamano explained that Meghan and her family had already left the UK before news of the allegations against her father emerged.
“We know the news broke while she was already out of the country with her family for the October half-term holidays,” Caamano said.
“Some schools have a two-week break in the UK, so the timing appears to be coincidental rather than a deliberate decision to escape the headlines,” she added.
Royal commentator Kinsey Schofield echoed that assessment, pointing out that schools across Britain are observing their October half-term holidays.
“Harry and Meghan may simply be taking advantage of the school holiday to spend time with their children while allowing some of the controversy to settle,” Schofield told Page Six.
Both royal experts suggested that the Sussexes’ time away from the public eye would likely be brief.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if their retreat from the spotlight lasts about as long as the children’s half-term holiday,” Schofield said.
Meghan Markle, the founder of As Ever (pictured in February 2019), is expected to return by the end of the week, according to royal journalist Andrea Caamano.
Caamano, co-host of Hello!’s “A Right Royal Podcast,” believes the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will return to the UK with their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, before the school holidays end.
“I don’t anticipate this becoming a prolonged retreat from public life,” Caamano explained.
“Meghan has been incredibly busy with her latest As ever launches, particularly the new holiday collection, and I fully expect her to continue promoting her business. As we say here in Britain, it’s very much a case of ‘keep calm and carry on.’”
Sources also indicated that the Sussexes’ trip was a conveniently timed family getaway, offering them a temporary break from the negative publicity rather than signaling an extended withdrawal from public life.
Meghan Markle’s estranged father, Thomas Markle Sr. (pictured in 2019), has denied the allegations against him.
“I don’t believe the Sussexes have any intention of abandoning their ambitions in Britain,” royal commentator Kinsey Schofield said. “This may be less of a strategic retreat and more of a convenient opportunity to let the headlines cool down.”
Royal journalist Andrea Caamano suggested that being away from the UK during such a “distressing” period may have offered Meghan some relief, describing the timing as “a small blessing in disguise.”
“A friend told us this week that Meghan is incredibly upset…But she is being supported by those closest to her,” Caamano revealed. “Many friends, both in the UK and abroad, have been reaching out to offer their support.”
Caamano also explained that Meghan and Prince Harry are prioritizing their mental well-being by avoiding social media as they navigate the controversy.
Alleged child sexual abuse images and videos were reportedly discovered at the Philippines residence of Meghan Markle’s estranged father, Thomas Markle Sr. (pictured in May).
“Prince Harry told us himself last month that he is not on social media, and neither is Meghan, despite her having two Instagram accounts,” royal journalist Andrea Caamano explained.
“They have people who help manage and publish content on their behalf, allowing them to take a step back from social media for the sake of their mental health,” she added.
Meghan, 45, and Prince Harry, 42, traveled overseas with their children around the time reports emerged that Thomas Sr. was under investigation over allegations involving child sexual abuse material.
“She’s just really, really upset,” a friend close to the As Ever founder told Hello! magazine on Monday.
The allegations surfaced after Meghan’s half-brother, Thomas Markle Jr., claimed to have discovered images and videos depicting child sexual abuse among their father’s possessions at his home in the Philippines. Local authorities are reportedly investigating the claims.
However, Thomas Sr. has strongly denied the accusations, dismissing them as “sick lies.”
Meghan’s half-sister, Samantha Markle, has also come to their father’s defense, accusing Thomas Jr. of fabricating the allegations.
Meghan Markle (pictured with Prince Harry in February 2024) revealed that she had been aware of the allegations against her estranged father for several years.
The former actress, 45, who has reportedly had no relationship with Thomas Markle Sr. since 2018, described the allegations as “deeply distressing” and acknowledged that she had known about the claims long before they became public.
“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,” Meghan said in a statement.
“I trusted that the authorities were doing the same for other families,” she added.
Meghan and Harry, who relocated to the UK in August after spending six years in California, had recently stepped out together for their first official public appearance since returning to Britain earlier this month.
