Prince Harry and Meghan arrived at the European Parliament in Brussels on Tuesday for an event about the dangers children face on social media.
It was Meghan’s first public appearance since her father, Thomas Markle, was arrested in Florida on Friday. He was charged with one count of possession of child sexual abuse material, IOL reported.
The visit was also the first time the couple appeared together at a public event abroad since they moved back to Britain this summer. They had lived in the United States for six years.
A group of photographers waited as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex entered the parliament. The couple stayed calm and did not answer a question from journalists about her father.
Meghan wore all black with a small poppy pin and held Harry’s hand tightly. Harry wore a dark blue suit, a dark tie and a poppy.
Later, Meghan was seen smiling next to Harry as they met European Parliament President Roberta Metsola. They also met Spanish EU lawmaker Antonio Lopez-Isturiz, who hosted the event.
The couple began the visit by opening an art installation called the “Lost Screen Memorial”. It honours children who died because of online abuse and exploitation.
The installation shows 50 images of children who died after harm they suffered on social media. The pictures were taken from their parents’ phone lock screens.
A statement about the event said there was an “urgent need to make the digital world safer for every child”. It called on policymakers, technology companies and society to do more to protect children.
The couple had been due to give a joint speech, but only Harry was then expected to speak. He was also set to join a panel with international activists.
An unnamed source told the UK’s Daily Telegraph that Meghan is “just not strong enough emotionally to be doing any public speaking” after her father’s arrest.
An anonymous friend told the Times that Harry would speak about “child safety”. “You can read into his speech what you will, and it can be taken in any number of ways,” the friend said.
Markle, 82, was taken into custody by FBI agents early on Friday at the retirement home where he lives in Lakeland, Florida. He has been ordered to undergo a psychiatric examination.
The US Justice Department said Markle allegedly kept the material in two storage units near Los Angeles. He had rented the units for nearly two decades. He could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
Meghan said in a statement that she was “deeply distressed” by the accusations. She said she had already blocked contact between him and her two children over earlier “troubling and disturbing” allegations.
Harry and Meghan stepped back from royal duties in early 2020. They still carry out similar work in a private capacity.
Source: this article is based on reporting by IOL Entertainment. Image: IOL Entertainment. Written with the help of AI and published by the Tzaneen Voice Entertainment desk. See our Editorial Standards.
Rirhandzu Baloyi writes about entertainment for Tzaneen Voice. Rirhandzu covers South African music, film, TV, streaming, awards and celebrity news, from amapiano and local soapies to Showmax and Netflix releases. Stories stick to what happened, who was involved and when fans can watch or listen.