Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are staying off Instagram for mental health reasons and leaning on friends for support after her dad, Thomas Markle Sr., was accused of possessing child pornography.
“Prince Harry told us himself last month that he is not on social media, and neither is Meghan, despite her having two Instagram accounts,” royal journalist Andrea Caamano exclusively told Page Six.
Caamano, who co-host of Hello!’s “A Right Royal Podcast,” explained that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have a team of staffers who run their social media accounts.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry (seen here in Oct. 23) are not currently on social media, Andrea Caamano told Page Six. BACKGRID
They are staying offline after Thomas Markle Sr. (seen here in 2023) was accused of possessing child pornography. LionsShareNews / BACKGRID
“They have people who help manage and publish content on their behalf, allowing them to take a step back from social media for the sake of their mental health,” Caamano said.
However, the “Suits” actress’ social media detox isn’t expected to last too long.
“I also expect Meghan to resume her social media activity soon and give an insight into what has brought her joy in the past few weeks,” Caamano said.
The journalist also addressed reports that the former “Deal or No Deal” model, 45, and Harry, 42, have jetted out of the UK with their kids after the scandal came to light.
“They have people who help manage and publish content on their behalf, allowing them to take a step back from social media for the sake of their mental health,” Caamano said of Markle (seen here in May) and Harry. Cyril Zingaro/KEYSTONE via AP
Markle (pictured here earlier this month) has also been getting support from friends. BACKGRID
“We know the news broke while she was already out of the country with her family for the October half-term holidays,” Caamano shared. “Some schools have a two-week break in the UK, so the timing appears to be coincidental rather than a deliberate decision to escape the headlines.”
Caamano doesn’t expect their trip to be a “prolonged retreat from public life.”
“I would expect the family to return to their home in the UK towards the end of the week, in time for the children to resume school after half-term,” she said.
Being away from “intense media scrutiny” must be a “small blessing in disguise” during “an incredibly distressing time,” according to Caamano.
“A friend told us this week that Meghan is incredibly upset,” Caamano said, adding that she is being supported by those closest to her.
The Sussexes and their two kids (seen above earlier this month) left the UK amid the allegations. Meghan/ Instagram
We’re told Harry (seen here with Princess Lilibet and Prince Archie) and Markle were already on vacation while their children were on school break. Instagram/@meghan
“Many friends, both in the UK and abroad, have been reaching out to offer their support,” Caamano shared.
The royal commentator believes Meghan will swiftly return to her business ventures despite the headlines about her dad.
“Meghan’s focus remains very much on her family and her professional projects,” Caamano said. “She has been busy expanding As Ever, and we have also heard recently that she has been looking at scripts as she explores a possible return to acting.”
“Her new Australian television role is another example of her continuing to develop opportunities outside the royal sphere,” she added of Meghan’s plans to appear on “Junior MasterChef Australia.”
Thomas Sr. (seen here in May 2018) has been estranged from Meghan since 2018. GLH / NGRE / BACKGRID
Her father (seen here in 2021) is being investigated in the Philippines after his son accused him of having child pornography. BACKGRID
“And it’s definitely telling that this was announced days after her father’s alleged allegations,” Caamano noted. “It won’t stop her commitments.”
Page Six has reached out to Meghan’s rep for comment.
Page Six confirmed last week that Thomas Sr., 82, is being investigated in the Philippines after his son, Thomas Markle Jr., allegedly discovered “hundreds, if not thousands” of child sexual abuse images and videos among his father’s belongings at his home in Cebu City.
The Markle patriarch has vehemently denied the accusations, dismissing them as “sick lies.” His daughter, Samantha Markle, stood by her dad and accused Thomas Jr. of fabricating the claims for “revenge.”
Caamano told Page Six that Meghan (seen here in April) is “incredibly upset” by the news of her father. Getty Images
Thomas Sr. (seen here in March 2024) has denied the allegations. Dsanchez/CPR / BACKGRID
However, Meghan — who has been estranged from her father since 2018 — claimed she had been aware of the “deeply distressing” accusations for years.
“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,” Markle said in part. “I trusted that the authorities were doing the same for other families.”
Caamano will be hosting a live recording of the “Right Royal Podcast” with Princess Diana’s former personal chef, Darren McGrady — who will be sharing the secrets of holiday hosting like a royal — in New York on Nov. 9.