How Meghan Markle is protecting her mental health amid her father’s child pornography investigation

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are staying off Instagram for mental health reasons and leaning on friends for support after her father, Thomas Markle Sr., was charged with possessing child pornography.

“Prince Harry told us himself last month that he is not on social media, and neither is Meghan, although she has two Instagram accounts,” royal reporter Andrea Caamano exclusively told Page Six.

Caamano, who co-hosts Hello!’s “A Right Royal Podcast,” explained that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have a team that manages their social media accounts.

“They have people helping them manage and post content on their behalf, which allows 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 provide insight into what has brought her joy in recent weeks,” Caamano said.

The journalist also addressed reports that the former “Deal or No Deal” model, 45, and Harry, 42, flew out of the UK with their children after the scandal came to light.

“We know that the news broke when she was already abroad with her family for the mid-October vacation,” Caamano explained. “Some schools have a two-week break in the UK, so the timing appears to be a coincidence rather than a deliberate decision to escape the headlines.”

Caamano doesn’t expect their trip to be an “extended retirement from public life.”

“I would expect the family to return home to the UK towards the end of the week, in time for the children to return to school after half term,” she said.

Being away from “intense media scrutiny” must be a “little blessing in disguise” during “an incredibly trying time,” according to Caamano.

“A friend told us this week that Meghan was incredibly upset,” Caamano said, adding that she was supported by those close to her.

“Many friends, both in the UK and abroad, have contacted us to offer their support,” Caamano explained.

The royal commentator believes Meghan will quickly return to her businesses despite the headlines surrounding her father.

“Meghan remains very focused on her family and her professional projects,” Caamano said. “She’s been busy developing As Ever, and we also heard recently that she’s studying scripts as she explores a possible return to acting.”

“Her new role on Australian television is another example of her ability to develop opportunities outside of the royal sphere,” she added of Meghan’s plans to appear on “Junior MasterChef Australia.”

“And it’s really telling that this was announced days after her father’s alleged allegations,” Caamano noted. “That won’t stop his commitments.”

Page Six has reached out to Meghan’s rep for comment.

Page Six confirmed last week that Thomas Sr., 82, was under investigation in the Philippines after his son, Thomas Markle Jr., allegedly discovered “hundreds, if not thousands” of images and videos of child sexual abuse among his father’s belongings at his Cebu City home.

Markle’s patriarch vehemently denied the accusations, calling them “sick lies.” His daughter, Samantha Markle, stood by her father and accused Thomas Jr. of fabricating “revenge” allegations.

However, Meghan – who has been estranged from her father since 2018 – claimed she had known about the “deeply distressing” accusations for years.

“I hope it can now be understood that, despite the distortion of some media publications 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 only: to protect them,” Markle said in part. “I trusted that the authorities were doing the same for other families. »

Caamano will host a live taping of the “Right Royal Podcast” with Princess Diana’s former personal chef Darren McGrady — who will share the secrets of vacation hosting like a royal — in New York on November 9.