Meghan, Duchess of Sussex feels a sense of "relief" that allegations against her father Thomas Markle Sr over child sexual abuse images are being "properly investigated".
It was reported this week that Meghan's estranged father - who she has had no contact with since before her wedding to Prince Harry in 2018 - is facing a police investigation in the Philippines over alleged possession of child sexual abuse images among family memorabilia and computer files - and a friend of the 45-year-old royal, who has children Prince Archie, seven, and Princess Lilibet, five, with Harry, claims she is relieved that the allegations have now come to light.
The friend told The Sun newspaper: "As a mum of young children herself, she is utterly devastated by all of this.
"Above all, her thoughts are with any children who may have been harmed. Their welfare and protection have to come first."
They continued: "After so many years of living with deeply troubling concerns, there is also a real sense of relief that these matters are now being properly investigated.
"She has been guided by legal advice about what she could say publicly and has had to live with the frustration of not being able to speak openly, while trusting that the appropriate authorities would do their job."
Meghan issued a statement on Friday (23.10.26) describing how she was "deeply distressed" by the allegations against her father and revealed that she was made aware of them in 2018 after a letter sent to the Metropolitan Police was shared with her.
The former Suits actress said: "I am deeply distressed at the news that has come to light in the last 24 hours, and my thoughts are with any children who may have been harmed.
"In 2018, a letter was sent to the Metropolitan Police and Royalty and Specialist Protection. That letter was subsequently shared with me.
"It made troubling and disturbing allegations against my father and I was given assurances that these were being investigated."
Thomas Sr, 82, has strenuously denied the allegations - which are believed to have been reported to the police in the Philippines by his son Thomas Jr - and described them as a "bunch of lies".
He said in a statement to the Daily Mail: "I’m shocked, I’m hurt and I’m very upset that my son is making these accusations against me.
"I could never do what I’m being accused of. It’s the worst thing anyone could accuse me of.
"This is b*******. It’s just a bunch of lies. It’s sick."