The Duchess of Sussex says she was informed of disturbing allegations against her estranged father in 2018 and that her decision to keep him away from her children was intended to protect them. Thomas Markle has denied the latest accusations, which are reportedly being investigated by authorities in the Philippines.
Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, has spoken publicly about allegations involving her father, Thomas Markle Sr., saying she is “deeply distressed” and expressing concern for any children who may have been harmed.
The statement, released Friday, October 23, follows reports that Meghan’s half-brother, Thomas Markle Jr., allegedly discovered a large collection of child sexual abuse images among his father’s belongings at his former home in Cebu, the Philippines.
According to reports by The Sun, Thomas Jr. said he discovered the material while clearing out the property after his father had moved away. He claimed to have reported the discovery to Philippine police and contacted the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Thomas Markle Sr., 82, has strongly denied the allegations, describing them as “sick lies” in an interview with the Daily Mail.
Meghan Says She Was Informed in 2018
In her statement, Meghan revealed that allegations concerning her father had been brought to the attention of London’s Metropolitan Police and its Royalty and Specialist Protection unit in 2018.
The letter was subsequently shared with her, and she said she had been assured that the allegations were being investigated.
“I am deeply distressed at the news that has come to light in the last 24 hours, and my thoughts are with any children who may have been harmed,” Meghan said.
She added that the allegations in the letter had been “troubling and disturbing” and that she had trusted authorities to investigate them.
The duchess also addressed years of public speculation about her estrangement from her father, saying her decision to maintain distance and prevent him from contacting her children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, was made to protect them.
“Although the breadth of what has now been uncovered is more sickening than one could ever imagine, my sincerest hope is that justice will be fully served and that the priority remains the safety and protection of innocent children,” she said.
Metropolitan Police Clarifies Its Position
The Metropolitan Police is not investigating Thomas Markle, according to reporting by The Independent and Sky News.
The force is conducting internal inquiries to establish whether officers from its Royalty and Specialist Protection unit passed the 2018 letter to Meghan. The nature of the allegations contained in that letter, and whether they are connected to the latest claims, remain unclear.
Separately, reports indicate that Philippine police are investigating the allegations concerning the material allegedly discovered at Thomas Markle’s former home.
No finding of wrongdoing has been established in the publicly available reporting, and Thomas Markle denies possessing the images.
Father Denies Allegations as Family Dispute Deepens
Thomas Markle said he was shocked and hurt by the accusations made by his son.
“I could never do what I’m being accused of. It’s the worst thing anyone could accuse me of,” he told the Daily Mail, adding that he believed the claims were false.
Meghan’s half-sister, Samantha Markle, also defended their father and accused Thomas Jr. of making false allegations. She questioned the chain of custody of the computers, claiming they had been outside their father’s possession for an extended period. These are her assertions, and they have not been independently established.
Thomas Jr. told The Sun that he had decided to stop supporting his father and would only speak to him again if required to provide evidence.
A Long Estrangement
Meghan’s relationship with her father became strained in the weeks leading up to her May 2018 wedding to Prince Harry at Windsor Castle. Thomas Markle did not attend the ceremony, and King Charles III, then Prince of Wales, accompanied Meghan part of the way down the aisle. Meghan’s mother, Doria Ragland, was the only member of her immediate family present.
Their estrangement attracted widespread media attention. In 2021, Meghan won a privacy and copyright case against Associated Newspapers Limited over the publication of parts of a private handwritten letter she had sent to her father in August 2018.
Thomas Markle had been living in the Philippines before suffering a stroke and undergoing the amputation of his left leg. He subsequently returned to the United States for medical care and rehabilitation.
In December 2025, Meghan’s spokesperson confirmed that she had sent him a letter while he was in hospital, after he had publicly expressed a wish to reconcile with his daughter.
The latest allegations have renewed attention on the family’s difficult history. Meghan has emphasized that her priority is the safety of children and that she hopes the relevant authorities will establish the facts and ensure that any wrongdoing, if proven, is addressed.
