Meghan Markle confirms 2018 police warning on father

The Duchess of Sussex stated on Thursday that she is deeply distressed by allegations that her estranged father, Thomas Markle Sr, possessed child sexual abuse images. Her spokesperson issued the statement following a report by The Sun, which cited claims from Meghan’s half-brother, Thomas Markle Jr. Markle Jr told detectives in the Philippines that he found hundreds or thousands of such images on computers and mobile phones stored in four large boxes at a home in Cebu.

Meghan revealed that the Metropolitan Police shared a letter with her in 2018 containing disturbing allegations against her father. The letter was sent to the Met’s Royalty and Specialist Protection unit, known as Rasp, shortly after her wedding. Sources indicate that Meghan could not speak publicly at the time because doing so might have jeopardized future investigations or exposed her to legal action. She said she was assured the allegations were being investigated, though the Met has not previously investigated Markle Sr and is not doing so now. The force is conducting internal inquiries to confirm whether Rasp officers passed the letter to her.

In her statement, Meghan explained that any distance she kept from her father and her decision to limit his contact with her children served one purpose: to protect them. She noted that she trusted authorities were doing the same for other families. She expressed hope that justice would be fully served and that children’s safety would remain the priority. Markle Sr has denied the claims, telling the Daily Mail that the accusations are sick lies.

Philippine officials have confirmed that the matter is under active investigation. Jonvic Remulla, the interior secretary, stated that national police have secured Markle Sr’s computer for a full digital forensic examination. He expected results within one week. Nicholas Ty, an undersecretary at the justice department, told the BBC that a human trafficking and child sexual exploitation taskforce in Cebu is handling the case. The FBI said it will support Philippine authorities and investigate any related federal violations of US law.

Markle Sr, 60, spoke from a rehabilitation center in Florida where he is learning to walk with a prosthetic limb. His left leg was amputated due to a blood clot. He described himself as shocked and hurt by the news. He told the Mail that he could never do what he is being accused of. Markle Sr said the computers had not been in his possession since he left Rosarito, Mexico, with his son in January 2025. He moved to the Philippines for a fresh start and lived there until returning to the US in May after a stroke.

Meghan’s half-sister, Samantha Markle, defended their father and accused Markle Jr of making up lies to make money. She alleged the claims emerged days after their father cut off his funds. Samantha Markle also pointed out that the computers were out of her father’s possession for two years, saying that leaves a lot of room for tampering. Markle Sr has been estranged from Meghan since he missed her wedding to Prince Harry on health grounds. He has never met his grandchildren, Prince Archie, who is seven, and Princess Lilibet, who is five.