Meghan says allegations involving her father were reported to police in 2018

The Duchess of Sussex has said she was “deeply distressed” by allegations involving child sexual abuse images and her estranged father, Thomas Markle Sr, while revealing that police informed her of similar claims in 2018. In a statement issued through her spokesperson, Meghan said a letter sent that year to the Metropolitan police and its Royalty and Specialist Protection unit had made “troubling and disturbing allegations” against her father. She said the letter was later shared with her and that she had been assured the claims were being investigated.

The statement followed reports in the Sun that Meghan’s half-brother, Thomas Markle Jr, alleged he had found a large collection of images on computers and mobile phones at a former home belonging to their father in the Philippines. The Guardian said Markle Jr told detectives he had found “hundreds, if not thousands” of images in four boxes and had also contacted the FBI. These allegations have not been established as fact in the supplied reports.

Markle Sr denies possessing child sexual abuse images. Speaking to the Daily Mail from a rehabilitation centre in Florida, he described the accusations as “sick lies” and said the computers had not been in his possession since he left Rosarito, Mexico, with his son in January 2025. He said he had moved to the Philippines for a fresh start and did not understand why his son was making the accusations.

The Metropolitan police said it was conducting internal inquiries into reports that officers from its royalty and specialist protection command had passed on the 2018 letter. The force said it was seeking to confirm what had happened. The Guardian reported that the Met had not previously investigated Markle Sr and was not currently doing so, adding uncertainty about the status of the earlier allegations.

Authorities in the Philippines are examining the matter. Nicholas Ty, an undersecretary at the justice department, told the BBC that a human trafficking and child sexual exploitation taskforce in Cebu was investigating. Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said national police had secured Markle Sr’s computer for a digital forensic examination and expected results within about a week.

The FBI said it was aware of the allegations and would support Philippine authorities as appropriate. It also said it would investigate any related allegations involving possible violations of US federal law. The supplied reports do not state that any charges have been filed.

Meghan said she had been unable to speak publicly about the allegations at the time because doing so could have jeopardised a possible investigation or exposed her to legal action, according to sources cited by The Guardian. She said her decision to keep her father away from her children had been made to protect them, and expressed hope that authorities would prioritise the safety of children. Markle Sr has been estranged from Meghan since he missed her 2018 wedding to Prince Harry on health grounds.

The Guardian reported that he has never met their children. His daughter Samantha has defended him and accused Markle Jr of making up the allegations, though the supplied material ends before giving further detail about her response.