Duchess of Sussex’s decision to cut ties with elderly father cast in new light as he faces sexual abuse image claims

• Meghan ‘deeply distressed’ by allegations against father

The depiction of the Duchess of Sussex by certain sections of the media has often been one of a fame-hungry daughter casting off an elderly father in his declining years and keeping him from his grandchildren as she embraces the international celebrity stage.

Their estrangement has been the subject of countless headlines since her marriage to Prince Harry. But her statement today, released after child sexual abuse image allegations made against Thomas Markle Sr, 82, suggests deeper, darker fears as the cause.