Why royal family may distance themselves from Meghan Markle, Prince Harry in hour of need amid her dad’s child porn allegations

See more of our coverage in your search results. The royal family may distance themselves from Meghan Markle and Prince Harry after her father, Thomas Markle Sr., was accused of possessing a “vile” trove of child pornography. “This may give King Charles III the ammunition to take a firmer stance in distancing the monarchy from Harry and Meghan,” royal commentator Kinsey Schofield exclusively told Page Six. “The Sussexes are private citizens, and perhaps it’s time the Palace made that separation unmistakably clear,” she continued. Prince William and King Charles III (seen here in 2025) could distance themselves from the Sussexes after Thomas Markle Sr. was accused of possessing child pornography. Getty Images Meghan Markle and Prince Harry (seen here in 2025) have been trying to make amends with the royal family since they moved back to the UK in August. WireImage The “Kinsey Schofield Unfiltered” podcast host argued that the monarchy should not have to keep “absorbing the reputational fallout” from controversies unrelated to its work. Schofield said she does not expect Charles to publicly address the allegations involving Meghan’s father. “I don’t expect Buckingham Palace to dignify this story with a response,” Schofield said. “These allegations concern private individuals, and the royal family has no responsibility to defend or explain their behavior.” A Buckingham Palace source echoed that sentiment, telling Page Six that the scandal is “a matter for the Sussex Household.” Thomas Sr. (seen here with Markle in her younger years) is being investigated by police. Channel 5 Meghan’s dad (above) denied the accusations. / SplashNews.com The entertainment reporter also pointed to the “reputational consequences” the royal family is already facing over former Prince Andrew’s ties to pedophile Jeffrey Epstein. “The last thing it needs is another uncomfortable controversy involving people connected to the royal family,” Schofield said. She added, “This isn’t the Palace’s mess, but unfortunately, the royal connection ensures it becomes part of the conversation.” “This may give King Charles III the ammunition to take a firmer stance in distancing the monarchy from Harry and Meghan,” royal commentator Kinsey Schofield exclusively told Page Six of the monarch (seen above). Andrew Lloyd / SplashNews.com Buckingham Palace has not responded to the allegations. Zak Hussein / BACKGRID On Thursday, Meghan’s half-brother, Thomas Markle Jr., publicly accused their dad of possessing child sexual abuse material. The disturbing allegations sparked a bitter feud within the Markle family, with Meghan’s half-sister, Samantha Markle, accusing her brother of fabricating the claims for financial gain. Samantha also suggested that their father may have been set up, casting doubt on her brother’s account. Thomas Sr. vehemently denied the accusations, saying he’s “shocked” and “very upset” that his son is making these claims against him. Markle and Harry (seen here on Oct. 15) have been estranged from her dad since 2018. Tom Maddick / SWNS The Sussexes (seen here in 2022) have been feuding with their royal family members since at least 2020. Getty Images Want more celebrity and pop culture news? Start your day with Page Six Daily. Thanks for signing up! “I could never do what I’m being accused of. It’s the worst thing anyone could accuse me of,” Thomas Sr. told Daily Mail Friday, calling them “sick lies.” “I have no idea why Tom is trying to destroy me with these lies,” he said of his son. Page Six previously confirmed that the Cebu City Police Office in the Philippines is investigating the allegations, with the Women and Children Protection Center assigned to the case. Meanwhile, Meghan said in a statement that she was “deeply distressed” by the investigation and revealed that she had been informed of troubling allegations against him years earlier. Thomas Sr. (seen here in 2017) was not invited to Harry and Markle’s wedding. Karl Larsen / BACKGRID The As Ever founder (seen here with Harry) revealed she knew about the accusations against her dad for years. meghan/Instagram “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,” the mom of two said in part. “I trusted that the authorities were doing the same for other families.” Meghan — who shares Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5, with Harry — has been estranged from her father since at least 2018, when he was caught staging paparazzi photos ahead of her royal wedding to the Duke of Sussex, which he ultimately did not attend. Meanwhile, she and Harry have been on the outs with William and Charles since the couple resigned from their royal duties in 2020 and moved to California — only to return to the UK six years later in August. 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