Meghan issued a personal statement on October 23, explaining why she had kept her father away from her children and revealing that she had previously been made aware of allegations concerning him.

“I am deeply distressed at the news that has come to light in the last 24 hours, and my thoughts are with any children who may have been harmed,” she said.

She also referred to information shared with her in 2018, saying a letter containing what she described as “troubling and disturbing allegations” had been passed to her after being sent to British police.

Meghan said her decision to maintain distance from her father was intended to protect Archie and Lilibet.

“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,” she said.

Her statement made clear that the family rift did not begin with the latest reports. The new allegations have, however, brought fresh scrutiny to a relationship that has been strained for years.