The Duchess of Sussex, Meghan, has stated that she is “deeply distressed” following recent accusations involving child sexual abuse images linked to her estranged father, Thomas Markle Sr. The Duchess revealed that she was first made aware of “disturbing allegations” regarding her father by the Metropolitan police in 2018.
This public statement followed a report in the Sun newspaper, which alleged that Thomas Markle Jr had discovered a collection of images belonging to his father at the elder Markle’s former home in the Philippines. Thomas Markle Sr has vehemently denied these claims, describing them to the Daily Mail as “sick lies.” He maintained that he has not possessed the computers in question since leaving Rosarito, Mexico, in January 2025 to move to the Philippines.
It is understood that in the summer of 2018, shortly after her wedding, the Metropolitan police royalty and specialist protection unit shared a letter with the Duchess that had been sent to Scotland Yard. This correspondence contained troubling allegations against her father, and Meghan was provided with assurances that the matter was under investigation. In her statement, the Duchess noted that she hoped it would now be understood that her decision to maintain distance from her father and prevent contact with her children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, was intended to protect them. She added that she had trusted authorities to handle the situation for other families as well.
Regarding the current investigation, Nicholas Ty, undersecretary for the Philippine Department of Justice, confirmed to the BBC that a taskforce in Cebu focusing on human trafficking and child sexual exploitation is looking into the matter. Furthermore, Philippine interior secretary Jonvic Remulla stated that national police have secured Markle Sr’s computer for a comprehensive digital forensic examination, which is expected to take one week.
Thomas Markle Jr, 60, reportedly told detectives in the Philippines that he found thousands of images stored on devices at the Cebu home where his father resided until May. Markle Jr also claimed to have contacted the FBI in the United States. Speaking from a rehabilitation centre in Florida, where he is recovering following the amputation of his left leg, Thomas Markle Sr expressed shock at the accusations, stating, “I could never do what I’m being accused of.”
“Although the breadth of what has now been uncovered is more sickening than one could ever imagine, my sincerest hope is that justice will be fully served and that the priority remains the safety and protection of innocent children.”
“This is bullshit. It’s just a bunch of lies. It’s sick. I have no idea why Tom is trying to destroy me with these lies.”
