The Sussexes’ return to Britain has been overshadowed by deeply troubling family headlines.
Meghan has arrived to reports that her father, Thomas Markle, is being investigated over alleged possession of “sickening child sex abuse images”.
Her half-brother, Thomas Markle Jnr, said he found the material at their father’s home in the Philippines before handing it over to police.
Could this be the moment when Meghan’s critics should finally feel sympathy for her?
Is it possible that the “devoted” father who raised her after her mother left had a far darker side?
Could that help explain why Meghan cut ties with him and refused to let him meet her children? While she was being portrayed as a cold and heartless daughter, might she have been carrying a disturbing secret about allegations against her father?
Her statement yesterday appeared to suggest that she had serious concerns. She said: “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.” Meghan added that the letter explained why she had prevented Markle from having contact with Archie and Lilibet, saying the decision was made “to protect them”.
“I have been among their harshest critics and yes, I have accused them – perhaps wrongly with the benefit of hindsight – of abandoning Meghan’s father,” writes Amanda Platell
Meghan pictured as a child with her father, Thomas Markle, who is now being investigated over alleged “sickening child sex abuse images”
This extraordinary development raises far more questions than it answers. Markle is understood to be under investigation in the Philippines, while the FBI is considering whether to take action. He has also maintained his innocence.
It is an appalling family crisis for the Sussexes to confront as they attempt to relaunch themselves in Britain.
I have counted myself among their strongest critics and have accused them – perhaps unfairly in light of these revelations – of abandoning Meghan’s father.
For now, I feel sympathy for them. Yet amid such fresh family turmoil, another Netflix series cannot be ruled out.
Call me a traitor, but was Thursday’s dreary episode of The Celebrity Traitors – in which the outcome of the murder in plain sight was finally revealed after contestants sat around for ages until one of them yawned – an unintentional comedy? I wouldn’t know. I fell asleep.
It’s Sydney scary!
Sydney Sweeney opted for a more modest look than in her recent lingerie photographs at the Christy premiere in October last year
With Halloween approaching, Sydney Sweeney has promoted her lingerie brand in gothic bondage-style clothing inspired by the “corpse bride” from Tim Burton’s 2005 film of the same name. The look was too eye-catching to reproduce here, but it did inspire me to buy the outfit. Few things would deter children knocking at my door more effectively than being greeted by a woman dressed like that. The psychological damage could last a lifetime.
Taylor Swift performs at the Academy Museum’s sixth annual gala in California
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Taylor Swift captivated guests alongside fellow billionaire Kim Kardashian at the Academy Museum Gala, which raised money for charity. The event was co-chaired by Steven Spielberg, whose fortune is estimated at more than $7 billion. So why did the evening raise only $14 million? Compared with the combined wealth of those involved, the figure seems remarkably small.
As E.T. might have put it, perhaps it is time for them to discover what “be good” really means.
Lewis a no show for Kim
Lewis Hamilton was absent from Kim Kardashian’s 46th birthday celebration in Beverly Hills. He was preparing for Sunday’s US Grand Prix, but given the lavish nature of the party, his absence inevitably raises questions about whether this is genuine romance or an opportunistic relationship allowing both to increase their already considerable fortunes.
As HMRC writes off £13billion in lost taxes after businesses collapsed under Labour, Andy Burnham appears on Gogglebox, has a flu jab (showing off his bee tattoo signalling solidarity with the Manchester Arena bomb victims), invites veterans to No10 North to make a contribution to the Poppy Appeal and goes jogging in shorty shorts. Jolly good, but is Eyelashes Andy becoming nothing more than a photo opp?
No worries chez Platell after the Government told us to stock up on essentials such as tinned baked beans, in the event of a national emergency. My attic is still stacked with supplies from the 2020 Covid lockdown.
Sweet snap or have we been ad?
The picture of Harper kissing her father entitled ‘Road trip with Daddy’, shared on Instagram
Weary as we may be after being presented with yet another ‘private’ Beckham Instagram photograph, the picture of Harper kissing her father entitled ‘Road trip with Daddy’ will strike a chord with many, given how precious is the relationship between a father and his daughter.
Yet, call me a cynic but I can’t help feeling this is also an advertisement for Brand Beckham.
UK riots? Not likely
Many fear the rioting in Paris will be replicated in Blighty. Not a chance.
Brits prefer to queue as has been calmly demonstrated by the thousands who have stood in the rain to see the Bayeux Tapestry.
Instead of riots, we have a few pro-Palestinian agitators putting a poster of a bomb strapped to a loaf outside a London Gail’s bakery in protest at the group’s links with Israel. Customers looked on bemused, chomping on their incomparable almond croissants.
Shocking footage ahead of the next series of BBC hit series Gone Fishing, with Bob Mortimer and Paul Whitehouse, as Paul is attacked by a thug at an ATM while trying to get cash for his wife’s medication. Had the show’s trusty terrier Ted been at his side, Paul’s attacker would have lost his ankles. Sadly Ted turned up his toes in series nine.
Bob Mortimer and Paul Whitehouse’s trusty terrier, Ted, who died earlier this year
The law is to be changed so Valdo Calocane – who killed Barnaby Webber and Grace O’Malley-Kumar, both 19, and Ian Coates, 65, in Nottingham – will be stripped of his benefits in psychiatric hospital, including his Universal Credit payment worth up to £800 a month. Yet Barnaby’s distraught mum fears that because he’s a patient rather than a criminal, he could be out as early as next year. Restoration of the death penalty anyone?
Ex-model Jerry Hall is hailed a feminist ‘icon’, leading to a fierce argument in my Traitors superfan club. I defended her as a strong, independent woman – only to be reminded she pocketed millions of pounds after her brief marriage to billionaire Rupert Murdoch.
A chap who stole a flamingo from a Las Vegas hotel zoo after a 40-beer binge has been found guilty of animal cruelty. If nothing else Mitchell Fairbarn, 34, should offer his liver for medical research.
Writer Jack Barth claims he had the original idea for the movie Yesterday, about a world where only one person remembers The Beatles, and film-maker Richard Curtis and his wife Emma – who plan to stage it as a musical – haven’t given him enough credit. Curtis has previously said he wrote the film from scratch. Maybe Jack should let it be…