Serious allegations have emerged against Duchess Meghan's estranged father, Thomas Markle Sr. The 82-year-old is under investigation in the Philippines over claims that he possessed child sexual abuse material.
The allegations surfaced after his son, Thomas Markle Jr., claimed to have discovered disturbing images and videos among belongings left behind at his father's former home in Cebu, Philippines.
According to reports, Meghan's half-brother contacted authorities in both the United States and the Philippines, including the FBI. Philippine authorities have since launched an investigation into the claims. Thomas Markle Sr. has strongly denied the allegations.
Thomas Markle Jr. Reports Alleged Discovery to Authorities
According to The Sun, Thomas Markle Jr., 60, made the alleged discovery while searching through boxes containing his father's personal belongings.
He claimed to have initially found disturbing material on a mobile phone before examining additional storage devices.
The 60-year-old alleged that there were "hundreds, if not thousands" of files and said he was willing to have the belongings examined by forensic investigators. Authorities in the Philippines are investigating the allegations. However, no forensic findings establishing ownership of the reported material have been publicly released. Thomas Markle Sr. previously lived in Cebu before returning to the United States earlier this year.
Duchess Meghan Speaks Out About the Disturbing Allegations
Following the reports, the Duchess of Sussex issued a statement expressing her distress and concern for any potential victims. Meghan also revealed that she had been made aware of troubling allegations involving her father years earlier.
According to the duchess, a letter containing allegations against Thomas Markle Sr. was sent to London's Metropolitan Police and Royalty and Specialist Protection in 2018.
The letter was subsequently shared with her, and Meghan said she had received assurances that the allegations were being investigated. However, the precise nature of those earlier allegations and whether they are connected to the current investigation remain unclear.
Meghan Reveals Why She Kept Archie and Lilibet Away From Her Father
The duchess also addressed her long-standing estrangement from Thomas Markle Sr., explaining that her decision to distance herself from him was motivated by a desire to protect her children. Their relationship has been strained since 2018, when controversy surrounding staged paparazzi photographs emerged shortly before Meghan's wedding to Prince Harry.
Thomas Markle Sr. ultimately did not attend the ceremony, and then-Prince Charles accompanied Meghan partway down the aisle. Since then, Meghan's father has never met his grandchildren, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
In her statement, the duchess said that protecting her children was the reason she had chosen to keep her distance and prevent contact between them and their grandfather. "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.
Thomas Markle Sr. Denies Allegations as Family Dispute Deepens
The allegations have also sparked further tensions within the Markle family. Samantha Markle has publicly defended her father, while Thomas Markle Sr. has strongly rejected the accusations, describing them as lies. Speaking to the Daily Mail, he denied ever possessing such material and claimed that the computers in question had not been in his possession for some time.
According to reports, he is currently staying at a rehabilitation facility in Florida, where he is recovering following a leg amputation and learning to walk with a prosthetic limb. The investigation remains ongoing, and the allegations against him have not been established as fact.
Meanwhile, Meghan concluded her statement by expressing her hope that justice would be served and that protecting children would remain the authorities' highest priority.
