Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, has expressed serious concern over allegations that her estranged father, Thomas Markle Sr., possessed child sexual abuse material at his former residence in Cebu, Philippines. In a statement released on Friday, October 23, the wife of Prince Harry said she was “deeply distressed” by the reports and expressed sympathy for any children who may have been harmed. The allegations emerged after her half-brother, Thomas Markle Jr., reportedly discovered disturbing images and videos among their father’s belongings and brought the matter to Philippine authorities. Thomas Markle Sr., 82, has strongly denied the accusations, describing them as false and deeply hurtful.
Meghan also revealed that she had been made aware of troubling allegations involving her father as early as 2018, when a letter containing accusations was submitted to London’s Metropolitan Police and subsequently shared with her. She said she had received assurances that the matter was being investigated and explained that her decision to maintain distance from her father, including preventing contact with her children, was motivated by concerns for their safety. However, the precise relationship between the earlier allegations and the newly reported material has not been established. British police said they are conducting internal inquiries to clarify how the 2018 letter was handled.
The controversy has now prompted an investigation in the Philippines, with Department of Justice Undersecretary Nicholas Ty confirming that authorities in Cebu are examining the reported material. The United States Federal Bureau of Investigation has also acknowledged the allegations and offered assistance to Philippine investigators, including examining any potential violations of American federal law. Thomas Markle Sr. has not been convicted or found responsible for the alleged offenses, and the investigation remains ongoing. Meghan, who has been estranged from her father since before her 2018 wedding, emphasized that protecting children and establishing the truth should remain the priority as authorities assess the evidence.