Meghan Cites 2018 Police Warning in Father's Case

The Duchess of Sussex stated on Thursday that she is deeply distressed by claims that her estranged father, Thomas Markle Sr, possessed child sexual abuse images. She disclosed that the Metropolitan Police informed her of disturbing allegations against him in 2018, a detail she had not previously shared publicly.

Meghan issued the statement through a spokesperson following a report by The Sun. The newspaper cited Thomas Markle Jr, the couple's half-brother, who told Philippine detectives he found hundreds, if not thousands, of such images on digital devices. These devices were stored in four large boxes at the family home in Cebu, where Markle Sr lived until returning to the United States in May.

In her statement, Meghan described a letter sent in 2018 to the Met and its Royalty and Specialist Protection unit, known as Rasp. She said the unit shared this letter with her shortly after her wedding. The letter contained troubling allegations against her father, and she was assured that authorities were investigating the matter. Meghan said her decision to limit contact between her father and her children was intended to protect them. "I trusted that the authorities were doing the same for other families," she said.

Sources indicated that Meghan remained silent in 2018 to avoid jeopardizing potential investigations or exposing herself to legal action. The Met has not previously investigated Markle Sr and is not currently doing so. The force said it is making internal inquiries to confirm whether Rasp officers passed the letter to her.

Thomas Markle Jr, 60, also contacted the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The FBI said it will support Philippine authorities and investigate any related federal violations of US law. Philippine officials confirmed the matter is under active investigation. Jonvic Remulla, the interior secretary, said national police secured Markle Sr's computer for a digital forensic examination. He expected the forensic results to take one week.

Markle Sr, who is recovering in a rehabilitation center in Florida after a leg amputation, denied the claims. Telling the Daily Mail, he said he was shocked and hurt by the accusations. He stated that the computers had not been in his possession since he moved from Mexico to the Philippines in January 2025 for a fresh start after a stroke.

Samantha Markle, the siblings' half-sister, defended their father and accused Thomas Markle Jr of fabricating stories for financial gain. She noted that the claims surfaced days after their father cut off his funds. She added that the computers were out of their father's possession for two years, which she said leaves room for tampering.