Meghan Distances Herself From Father Amid Child Image Allegations

The family of the Duchess of Sussex is confronting renewed scrutiny regarding serious allegations involving her estranged father, Thomas Markle Sr, amid claims that child sexual abuse images were found in his possession. Meghan stated she is "deeply distressed" by reports concerning her father, whom she has not seen since he missed her wedding to Prince Harry on health grounds.

A spokesperson for the Duchess issued a statement following reports from the Sun newspaper. The publication detailed claims from Meghan's half-brother, Thomas Markle Jr, who told detectives in the Philippines that he discovered a cache of images belonging to their father. Markle Sr has denied the accusation, characterizing the allegations as "sick lies" in comments to the Daily Mail.

The statement revealed that authorities informed the Duchess of disturbing allegations against her father in 2018. Meghan said a letter regarding those allegations was sent to the Metropolitan Police and its Royalty and Specialist Protection unit, known as Rasp, and was subsequently shared with her. The correspondence contained troubling information about Markle Sr and assurances that an investigation was underway.

Sources indicated that the Duchess could not address the matter publicly in 2018 to avoid jeopardizing the investigation or exposing herself to legal action. The letter regarding the allegations was reportedly provided to her shortly after her wedding to Prince Harry. The Metropolitan Police stated it has not previously investigated Markle Sr and is not doing so now, though the force is making internal inquiries to confirm whether Rasp officers were involved in passing on the letter.

Thomas Markle Jr told investigators in the Philippines that he located hundreds or thousands of images on devices stored in four large boxes at a residence in Cebu. Markle Sr lived at the location until he returned to the United States in May following a stroke. Markle Sr also contacted the FBI, which said it would support Philippine authorities as appropriate and investigate any related allegations of federal violations of US law.

Officials in the Philippines have confirmed an active investigation into the matter. Nicholas Ty, an undersecretary at the justice department, told the BBC that a taskforce in Cebu is handling the case. Interior secretary Jonvic Remulla said national police have secured Markle Sr's computer for a full digital forensic examination, adding that he expected it to take "one week to get the forensic [results]".

Speaking from a rehabilitation center in Florida, where he is recovering from a leg amputation following a blood clot, Markle Sr expressed shock and hurt regarding the accusations. "I could never do what I'm being accused of," he told the Mail. He stated that the computers had not been in his possession since he left Mexico and moved to the Philippines for a fresh start in January 2025.

Markle Sr's daughter, Samantha Markle, defended their father and accused her brother of fabricating the claims for financial gain. She alleged the timing of the accusations coincided with their father cutting off funding to her brother, and noted the computers were out of Markle Sr's possession for two years, suggesting this leaves room for tampering. The estrangement from Meghan has persisted since he missed her wedding, and he has never met Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.