Meghan Markle says she knew of father's abuse files in 2018 as probe begins

The investigation into an 80-year-old American man in the Philippines has moved from media reports to a formal state inquiry, according to Philippine authorities.

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, said she is deeply distressed by the news. In a statement sent to CBS News on Friday, she said she had known of the allegations against her father, Thomas Markle, since 2018. She stated that a letter was sent to the Metropolitan Police and the Royalty and Specialist Protection unit that year. The letter contained troubling claims against her father, and she said she was given assurances that the matter was being looked into.

The Metropolitan Police said it is aware of media reports that officers helped pass on the letter in 2018. A spokesperson for the force said it is undertaking internal enquiries to confirm the details. The Met said it has not investigated Thomas Markle and is not currently doing so.

The Philippine News Agency confirmed on Friday that the Department of Justice is investigating the matter. The state-run agency said the probe involves an octogenarian American national who allegedly left child abuse videos and photos in his home in Cebu province. A Filipino justice official told the agency that the department's anti-trafficking task force is handling the case and confirmed Thomas Markle Sr. is the subject.

British tabloids first reported the story over the weekend. The Sun reported on Thursday that Thomas Markle Jr. had reported his father to Philippine authorities. The younger man allegedly found the materials in storage boxes at the family home. The Daily Mail reported on Friday that Markle Sr. denied the claims, calling them sick lies. He said he had never downloaded such files in his life.

According to the Mail, Thomas Jr. discovered the materials while his father was in the United States receiving treatment for a stroke and a blood clot. He reportedly saw some of the files after switching on an old cell phone at the home. He is said to have reported the discovery to an FBI hotline, the National Center for Exploited and Missing Children, and state police in Pennsylvania in July.

Meghan addressed her distance from her father in her statement. She said she distanced herself from him to protect her children. She wrote that despite media distortions over the years, her choice to limit his contact with their children was for one reason: to protect them. She said her sincerest hope is that justice will be fully served and that the priority remains the safety of innocent children.