Meghan remained stoic at the European Union, but the irony was not lost on anyone, writes Cameron Walker

In fact, Meghan was first made aware of allegations against him in 2019, months after her marriage to Prince Harry.

As a senior working royal, her protection officer handed her a letter after a Metropolitan Police tipoff.

It was then she largely cut contact with Markle Snr, having been given assurances the allegations were being investigated.

She was also warned speaking publicly could prejudice any future trial and deny justice to victims and survivors of the alleged abuse.

With all this in mind, is it any wonder the Duchess of Sussex pulled out of a high-profile speech alongside her husband in Brussels?

I understand she was not “emotionally strong enough” to handle such an occasion, with a speech focused on protecting children from online harm.

Instead, Harry delivered the speech by himself – but Meghan still chose to accompany him down the red carpet and support him in the front row.

She walked past me twice and kept a stoic face. Perhaps even a poker face.

A couple of journalists asked her how she was feeling, but she did not respond.

The Duchess’ walk past the media had been carefully choreographed; Harry stood between her and us.

The couple held hands wherever they went.

After Prince Harry had delivered his speech, the pair viewed an art installation commissioned by their charity at the Archewell Foundation, memorialising children who had lost their lives due to online harms.

They met bereaved parents and the Duchess physically comforted one of them.

After this moment, Meghan disappeared – leaving Prince Harry to take part in an EU parliamentary discussion alone.

I understand this was always planned, but perhaps fortuitously – a large crowd of parliamentary staffers had gathered outside the room to take pictures.

Harry delivered an impassioned plea for social media companies to priortise children and teenagers’ safety online, instead of clicks, engagement and profit.

The Duke and Duchess have publicly criticised social media companies for failing to take appropriate action on children’s safety.

Yet, US prosecutors allege her father has abused children for decades – something he continues to deny.

Meghan was said to be “devastated” when she learned the true extent of the allegations against Thomas Markle.

No one can choose who their father is, but the irony was not lost on anyone: Meghan was advocating for children’s safety today.

Despite the scandal, pressuring social media companies to keep children safe online is a long-term mission for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

I suspect Meghan will put her father out of her mind and focus on her own life, her own children, and the online safety of other children around the world.

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