Meghan makes first public appearance in Brussels after father's arrest

Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, arrived in Brussels, where they took part in the launch of a special commemorative project at the European Parliament. It was Meghan's first public appearance since reports of the arrest of her father, Thomas Markle, in the United States, so attention focused not only on the couple's public work but also on events in the duchess's family.

Both attended the event dressed in black. Harry wore a dark suit, while Meghan chose a black coat with an accentuated waist. Both had pinned red poppies to their clothing. In Britain the flower is a symbol of remembrance for soldiers killed in wars and is linked to Remembrance Day, marked on 11 November.

Photographers captured the couple holding hands. Journalists' questions, however, mostly concerned Meghan's wellbeing. When reporters asked how she was coping with events in her family, the duchess chose not to answer.

Withdrawal from the speech

Harry and Meghan had originally been expected to speak together at the European Parliament. The day before the event it emerged that Meghan had pulled out of the address. Media citing a source reported that the duchess did not currently feel emotionally strong enough to speak in front of an audience.

Father's arrest

Thomas Markle was recently detained in the United States in connection with charges of possessing sexual material depicting children. He has denied the charges. Meghan has had no relationship with her father for several years.