<p>Duchess of Sussex’s decision to cut ties with elderly father cast in new light as he faces sexual abuse image claims</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/oct/23/meghan-duchess-of-sussex-distressed-child-sexual-abuse-image-claims-against-father">Meghan ‘deeply distressed’ by allegations against father</a></p></li></ul><p>The depiction of the Duchess of Sussex by certain sections of the media has often been one of a fame-hungry daughter casting off an elderly father in his declining years and keeping him from his grandchildren as she embraces the international celebrity stage.</p><p>Their estrangement has been the subject of countless headlines since her marriage to Prince Harry. But her statement today, released after <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/oct/23/meghan-duchess-of-sussex-distressed-child-sexual-abuse-image-claims-against-father">child sex image allegations made against Thomas Markle Sr</a>, 82, suggests deeper, darker fears as the cause.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/oct/23/thomas-markle-sr-allegations-challenge-media-meghan-narrative">Continue reading...</a>