The Duchess of Sussex has stated that she was made aware of “disturbing allegations” regarding her estranged father in 2018.
In a statement, Meghan revealed that a letter containing accusations against Thomas Markle was sent to the Metropolitan Police that same year and was subsequently brought to her attention.
Her comments follow reports alleging that images of child sexual abuse were discovered at a former residence of her father in the Philippines.
Thomas Markle, 82, who resides in the United States, denies being in possession of any such images.
Addressing the allegations first reported by The Sun newspaper the Duchess said: “I am deeply distressed by the news that has emerged over the last 24 hours, and my heart goes out to any children who may have been harmed.”
She noted that when she received the letter detailing the allegations against her father, she was assured that “they were being investigated.”
She added that she hopes people will understand why she distanced herself from her father and “chose not to allow her children to see him.”
According to Meghan, this step was taken “for their protection,” and she “trusted that the authorities were doing the same for other families.”
Describing the allegations as “more heinous than one could ever imagine,” she expressed her “sincere hope that justice is fully served and that the safety and well-being of innocent children remain the top priority.” Meghan’s half-brother, Thomas Markle Jr., told The Sun that he discovered images of child abuse at his father’s home in the Philippines and reported the matter to the police.
Nicholas Ty, an Undersecretary at the Philippine Department of Justice, told the BBC that the “matter is currently under investigation” and is being examined by a task force in Cebu dedicated to combating human trafficking and the sexual exploitation of children.
Philippine Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla separately informed the BBC that the national police have taken Thomas Markle Sr.’s computer into custody to conduct a comprehensive digital forensic analysis.
Investigators are currently analyzing the data to determine the full nature and scope of the alleged criminal activities; the Secretary noted that the forensic results are expected in about a week.
It is understood that the Metropolitan Police have not investigated, and are not currently investigating, Meghan’s father. The force stated that it is conducting an internal inquiry to verify whether its Royal Protection Unit delivered the letter in question to the Duchess.
The FBI stated that it is “aware of the allegations and will provide assistance to Philippine authorities as needed. We will also investigate any claims involving potential violations of U.S. federal law.”
The BBC has reached out to Thomas Markle Sr. and the Metropolitan Police for comment.
These allegations concerning Meghan’s estranged father shed new light on her complex family dynamics. A statement from the Duchess of Sussex indicates that information regarding her father was exchanged in 2018 the same year she married Prince Harry.
It is understood that Meghan first became aware of the allegations against her father after her wedding.
Sources close to the Sussexes stated that when Meghan first learned of these allegations, she could not speak about them publicly, for fear of jeopardizing any potential investigation.
According to these sources, speaking out could have exposed her to legal action.
These claims add a new dimension to the question of why Prince Harry and their children have never met Meghan’s father, and why there has been such evident strain in their relationship.
Given these questions surrounding her estranged father who has denied any wrongdoing it also raises the possibility of whether this played a role in the Sussexes’ sudden return to the UK late last summer.
However, a spokesperson for the couple has denied that this had any bearing on their decision to leave the United States, where her father resides.
The couple and their two children returned to the UK in August, following six years spent in the United States.
They had moved there after stepping back as senior royals in January 2020 meaning they no longer perform official royal duties, nor do they receive public funding.
Meghan is the only child from Thomas Markle’s marriage to her mother, Doria Ragland; however, he has two other children from a previous marriage: Samantha and Thomas Markle Jr. The relationship between Meghan and her father a former TV lighting director broke down before her wedding in 2018.
At the time, it emerged that Thomas Markle had colluded with photographers, accepting payment in exchange for staging photos related to the wedding preparations.
Following the resulting tension, he withdrew from his daughter’s wedding, citing health issues. Instead, King Charles III who was the Prince of Wales at the time walked Meghan down the aisle.
In 2025, following several strokes, Thomas Markle had moved to the Philippines.
It is reported that he is now staying at a rehabilitation center in Florida, where he is learning to walk again, following the amputation of one of his legs during a surgery in December 2025.
After the operation, Meghan sent a letter to her estranged father, who was hospitalized in the Philippines.
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