Meghan Markle Is ‘So Grateful’ to Have ‘Escaped’ Royal Family Following Ex-Prince Andrew’s Arrest (Exclusive)

Andrew Mountbatten Windsor’s recent brush with the law has left Meghan Markle feeling “totally vindicated” in her and Prince Harry’s decision to leave the royal family in 2020, a source tells In Touch.

The former Duke of York, 66, has long been embroiled in scandal due to his ties to Jeffrey Epstein — and despite repeatedly denying any wrongdoing, he was finally arrested on Thursday, February 19, on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

“As much as Meghan finds the situation disturbing and upsetting, it also reinforces her belief that stepping away when they did was absolutely the right call,” says the source. “Watching it all unfold makes her so grateful they escaped when they did.”

After their shocking split from the monarchy, Meghan, 44, and Harry, 41, decamped to Montecito, California, where they live with their two children, Prince Archie, 6, and Princess Lilibet, 4.

“For Meghan, this crisis with Andrew, and how the Firm has handled it, is just more proof that any notion of a part-time role for her in the institution simply isn’t viable or wise in any way, shape or form,” adds the source. “She views the whole thing as terribly corrupt and toxic and wants her family a million miles away.”

However, “it’s a lot more complicated” for Harry, notes the source.

“He’s homesick and has been dreaming of this life where he and Meghan and the kids could divide their time and maybe even serve as part-time working royals, the way he pitched when they left,” says the source. “But this situation has hammered home how deeply unlikely it is that will ever happen.”