Meghan Markle shares 2018 police letter about father's abuse image claims

Meghan Markle issued a statement on Thursday saying she is deeply distressed by claims that her father, Thomas Markle Sr, possessed child sexual abuse images. She revealed that the Metropolitan Police shared a letter with her in 2018 that detailed disturbing allegations against him. The Duchess said she was assured at the time that authorities were investigating the matter.

The statement came after The Sun reported that Markle Sr’s son, Thomas Markle Jr, told detectives in the Philippines he found hundreds or thousands of such images on devices. Markle Jr, 60, said the items were stored in four large boxes at his father’s former home in Cebu. The FBI stated it will support Philippine authorities and investigate any federal violations of US law.

According to sources, the Metropolitan Police’s Royalty and Specialist Protection unit passed the 2018 letter to Meghan shortly after her wedding. She could not speak publicly then because doing so might have jeopardized future investigations or exposed her to legal action. The Metropolitan Police is conducting internal inquiries to confirm if officers from that unit handled the letter. The force has not investigated Markle Sr previously and is not doing so now.

Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said national police have secured Markle Sr’s computer for a digital forensic examination. He expects results within one week. Nicholas Ty, an undersecretary at the Philippine justice department, confirmed a taskforce in Cebu is handling the case. Markle Sr lived in Cebu until returning to the US in May following a stroke.

Speaking from a rehabilitation center in Florida, Markle Sr denied the accusations, calling them sick lies. He is learning to walk with a prosthetic limb after a left leg amputation due to a blood clot. He said the computers were not in his possession since he moved from Mexico to the Philippines in January 2025. He described himself as shocked and hurt by the news.

Meghan said her distance from her father and decision to limit his contact with her children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, was intended to protect them. She stated she trusted authorities to protect other families as well. Her half-sister, Samantha Markle, defended their father and accused Markle Jr of making up lies to make money. She noted the computers were out of their father’s possession for two years, which she said leaves room for tampering.

Markle Sr has been estranged from the Duchess since he missed her wedding to Prince Harry on health grounds. He has never met his grandchildren, who are now seven and five years old. Meghan said she hopes justice will be fully served and that children’s safety remains the priority.