Meghan Markle cancels Brussels speaking engagement after father charged with child sex offences

Meghan Markle has withdrawn from a planned appearance at The Lost Screen Memorial in Brussels, where she was to discuss children’s online safety alongside her husband, Prince Harry. The couple is still expected to attend a separate memorial later in the day, marking Markle's first public appearance since her father was arrested by the FBI last week.

Thomas Markle Sr., 82, was taken into custody after authorities discovered alleged child sexual abuse material in a storage unit he had rented near his former residence. He has been released on an electronic monitoring tag and denies the allegations. A senior lawyer noted that federal investigators may face challenges interviewing him due to his dementia diagnosis and the need for court approval.

The memorial features an art installation of locked smartphones displaying images of children who died after exposure to online harms, followed by a panel discussion led by the Duke of Sussex. Markle's sister, Samantha, said she arranged her father's recent transfer to a memory-care facility for his safety. The facility provides round-the-clock supervision, and a family member was observed delivering bedding to the home.