Meghan Markle, 45, the Duchess of Sussex, has withdrawn from a planned keynote address at the European Parliament in Brussels on Tuesday, saying she is "not strong enough" emotionally after her father's arrest on child abuse charges.
Prince Harry, 42, the Duke of Sussex, will now deliver the speech alone. Meghan will still attend the event, a spokesperson for the couple told the German Press Agency.
The couple had been due to speak jointly about online child safety. Harry's solo address will take place at the opening of the Lost Screen Memorial, an art installation honouring children who died after being subjected to harm online.
The withdrawal follows the arrest of Thomas Markle Sr., 82, on Friday in Tampa, Florida. He was charged with possession of child abuse material and appeared in court the same day.
The judge imposed travel restrictions on Markle, who did not enter a plea. He was released on bail and ordered to undergo a psychiatric examination because of concerns he may not understand the proceedings. A future court appearance in California is not due for at least several weeks, according to the US justice department.
According to court documents, the FBI received a tip about a storage unit Markle rented in the Los Angeles area. He had rented two units since 2008, with payments automatically deducted from his account. Agents found 78 items, including images and books related to allegedly abused minors.
On at least two images described in the documents, Markle is allegedly seen with a naked minor girl. Investigations have also been opened in the Philippines, where he lived part-time. He has denied the allegations.
Meghan has described herself as shocked by the allegations and expressed sympathy for the alleged victims. She indicated that the long-standing rift with her father is connected to the serious charges.
The event will mark the first time Meghan has been seen in public since the allegations against her father emerged. Harry and Meghan returned to Britain in late August with their children, Prince Archie, seven, and Princess Lilibet, five, after living in California.
