Key Points
- Thomas Markle Jr. alleged he found hundreds or thousands of child sexual abuse images on electronic devices left by his father, Thomas Markle Sr., in Cebu City, Philippines.
- Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, said she is “deeply distressed” by the allegations and disclosed that the Metropolitan Police shared a letter with her in 2018 containing disturbing claims about her father.
- The Duchess said she cut off contact with her father and kept her children away from him strictly to protect them.
- Thomas Markle Sr. denied the claims in a statement to the Daily Mail, saying he had not possessed the computers since early 2025.
- Thomas Markle Jr. reported the accusations to law enforcement agencies, including the FBI and specialist police units in the Philippines.
LONDON (Oxford Daily) October 23, 2026 — Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, has expressed that she is “deeply distressed” following published reports alleging that a collection of child sexual abuse material was found among electronic devices belonging to her estranged father, Thomas Markle Sr.
In a public statement, the Duchess revealed that law enforcement in the United Kingdom had previously brought serious allegations concerning her father to her attention several years ago.
“In 2018, a letter was sent to the Metropolitan Police and Royalty and Specialist Protection. That letter was subsequently shared with me. It made troubling and disturbing allegations against my father and I was given assurances that these were being investigated,” Meghan stated.
The Duchess emphasised that her decision to maintain a distance from Thomas Markle Sr. and restrict his access to her family was taken solely as a protective measure.
“I hope it can now be understood that, despite certain media publications’ distortion over the years, any distance from my father and my choice to not allow him to have contact with our children, was for one reason: to protect them. I trusted that the authorities were doing the same for other families,” Meghan added.
The Duchess concluded her statement by stating: “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.”
What Are the Specific Claims Made by Thomas Markle Jr.?
As reported by Nick Parker of The Sun, Thomas Markle Jr. claimed he uncovered “hundreds, if not thousands” of explicit images and videos of child sexual abuse stored on old electronic equipment, hard drives, and mobile phones left by his father in Cebu, Philippines.
As reported by Nick Parker of The Sun, Thomas Markle Jr. stated: “When I found this material I was horrified and I had no option but to report my dad. I have supported, cared for him and helped him for years, but that stops now. I won’t speak to my father ever again unless I’m called to give evidence against him.”
According to media coverage, Thomas Markle Jr. subsequently submitted a formal statement to law enforcement officers in the Philippines and also notified authorities in the United States, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
How Has Thomas Markle Sr. Responded to the Allegations?
As reported by Caroline Graham of the Daily Mail, Thomas Markle Sr. vehemently denied having any child sexual abuse material in his possession.
As reported by Caroline Graham of the Daily Mail, Thomas Markle Sr. stated that the electronic devices in question had not been in his possession since he relocated from Rosarito, Mexico, to the Philippines in January 2025.
The 82-year-old former Hollywood lighting director is currently residing in a rehabilitation facility in Florida following health complications, including a stroke.
Specialist teams dealing with the protection of women and children in the Philippines are reportedly reviewing the matter, while law enforcement agencies examine the authenticity and origin of the items submitted.
Background of the Particular Development
The relationship between Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, and her father, Thomas Markle Sr., has been publicly strained since May 2018, shortly before her marriage to Prince Harry.
The estrangement began after it emerged that Thomas Markle Sr. had staged photographs with a commercial paparazzi agency in the lead-up to the royal wedding. He ultimately did not attend the ceremony, citing health issues following a heart attack.
Over subsequent years, Thomas Markle Sr. gave numerous media interviews appealing for contact with his daughter and expressing a desire to meet his grandchildren, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
Throughout this period, public commentary often focused on the rift between the Duchess and her father. The disclosure of a 2018 police communication provides new context regarding the long-standing distance maintained by the Duchess.
Prediction: How This Development Can Affect the Public and Royal Coverage
This development is likely to alter public perception and media discourse surrounding the Royal Family and the Duchess of Sussex.
For the general public and followers of royal affairs, the revelation of prior police involvement in 2018 offers significant context regarding the motives behind the Duchess’s personal decisions. Media reporting regarding the family’s internal dynamics is expected to adopt a more cautious approach, given the grave nature of the ongoing legal and law enforcement inquiries.
Furthermore, as multi-jurisdictional law enforcement agencies continue their forensic examinations, legal experts predict heightened scrutiny over domestic and international investigations involving high-profile families.
