Meghan Markle has explained why her children have no relationship with her father, Thomas Markle. In a statement reported by the BBC on Friday, the Duchess of Sussex said the decision was taken to protect them. She pointed to disturbing allegations she learned about in 2018 as the reason for keeping the distance. Her remarks followed reports concerning images of child sexual abuse, though the statement stopped short of detailing them. Meghan has been estranged from her father for years, and the rift between them has only deepened over time. She offered no indication of whether any contact with him might ever be restored. The family conflict has played out in public for years through interviews and leaked exchanges. Her statement adds a personal dimension to that ongoing story, this time centered on the safety of her children.