Meghan Markle's supporters have hit back at critics blaming the Duchess of Sussex amid allegations against her estranged father, Thomas Markle Sr. One Reddit user declared that Meghan had 'suffered enough' and urged people to give her a break from public scrutiny.
The backlash unfolded in a Reddit discussion on 26 October, following a HELLO! report that Meghan and Prince Harry had taken their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, overseas for a short break. The magazine reported that friends were supporting Meghan as she dealt with what one source described as 'devastating' allegations against her father.
The discussion on the RoyaltyTea subreddit attracted more than 1,000 upvotes, with several users defending Meghan's decision to distance herself from Thomas. Others questioned why she was being blamed for allegations involving a family member.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have left the UK for a short break as Meghan struggles to come to terms with the allegations against her father, Thomas Markle. They are understood to be spending time overseas with close friends.
— HELLO! Canada (@HelloCanada) October 26, 2026
Meghan is “really, really upset,” one friend tells… pic.twitter.com/24jDRbfC9w
Meghan Markle Fans Hit Back at Critics
'This woman has suffered enough please can she finally get a break?' one Reddit user wrote, echoing the sympathy expressed by several participants. Another commenter argued that Meghan had nothing to be ashamed of, writing that she 'has committed no crimes' and had spent years building a life for herself and her children. Others maintained that Thomas' alleged actions, if proven, should not be attributed to his daughter.
Some users also questioned what critics expected Meghan to do in response to the allegations. They argued that investigating potential criminal conduct was the responsibility of law enforcement rather than a family member.
One commenter suggested that Meghan would have faced criticism regardless of how she responded. Another argued that public scrutiny surrounding her estrangement from Thomas had overshadowed the seriousness of the allegations themselves.
Comment
by u/somanyquestions19 from discussion
in RoyaltyTea
Supporters Defend Meghan's Decision to Protect Her Children
Meghan's decision to keep her children away from her estranged father also featured prominently in the discussion. Some users suggested the controversy offered further context for her approach to protecting Archie and Lilibet's privacy.
One commenter argued that critics might better understand why Meghan does not regularly share her children's faces publicly. Another pointed out that other public figures also keep their children off social media, yet do not face the same level of scrutiny.
Comment
by u/somanyquestions19 from discussion
in RoyaltyTea
The discussion was not entirely sympathetic to the Sussexes, however, with some users questioning the timing of the family's overseas break and criticising their recent public engagements. Others pointed out that the trip coincided with the children's school half-term.
Thomas Markle Denies Allegations as Investigation Continues
The online reaction follows reports that Thomas, 82, is being investigated by authorities in the Philippines over allegations that child sexual abuse images were found at his former home in Cebu. His son, Thomas Markle Jr, reportedly told authorities that he had discovered the material and handed it over to investigators.
WORLD EXCLUSIVE: Thomas Markle Jr's horror at finding sick images among dad's possessions pic.twitter.com/0WgVi05kSm
— The Sun (@TheSun) October 24, 2026
Thomas Sr has denied the allegations, describing them as 'sick lies' in an interview with the Daily Mail. The investigation is ongoing, and the allegations against him have not been established as fact.
Meghan said she was 'deeply distressed' by the reports in a statement issued on 23 October, adding that her thoughts were with any children who may have been harmed. She also explained that her decision to remain estranged from her father and prevent him from contacting her children was intended to protect them.
'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,' she said.
Metropolitan Police Review Letter Handling
The Metropolitan Police subsequently confirmed that it had received a letter in January 2019 containing allegations of offending outside the UK. The letter was passed to the office of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, but the force said its contents were not shared with other law enforcement agencies.
🚨BREAKING: A bombshell letter warning the Met police in 2018 about allegations that Meghan Markle's dad Thomas Markle was a child abuser DOES EXIST.@petercardwell pic.twitter.com/zZ6rPcOzmi
— Talk (@TalkTV) October 23, 2026
Meghan initially recalled that the letter had been sent in 2018 but later acknowledged that she may have misremembered the year. The Metropolitan Police is reviewing its handling of the matter and considering whether a referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct is necessary. The force has not confirmed that it is investigating Thomas himself.
As the Philippine investigation continues, the Reddit discussion reflects a debate over whether Meghan should face criticism for her father's alleged conduct. For those defending her, the central argument is that she should not be held responsible for allegations against a relative from whom she has been estranged for years.
