By Sohaib Shams
Philippine police have obtained a court warrant to examine electronic devices seized from the former Cebu residence of Thomas Markle Sr, the 82-year-old father of Meghan, Duchess of Sussex. The warrant allows investigators to search computers, phones, hard drives and videotapes handed over last week by Markle's son, Thomas Markle Jr.
Devices seized from former home
Four boxes of material were collected from the property where Markle Sr lived until May. Cebu Regional Prosecutor Graeme Elmido said Markle Jr was adamant that the case be investigated and that his father "has to answer for it." Markle Sr, now in a Florida rehabilitation center, has strongly denied the allegations, calling them "sick lies."
Family background and allegations
The investigation follows a 2019 letter from Markle Sr's ex-wife, Roslyn Loveless, to London's Metropolitan Police. The letter, shared with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex at the time, alleged child sexual abuse. Meghan confirmed the letter's existence on Friday, saying she was "deeply distressed" and had cut contact with her father last year after telling him authorities knew of the abuse. Thomas Markle Jr apologized to Meghan for previously siding with his father, stating he had "been protecting the wrong person for the past nine years."
Police investigation next steps
Authorities must determine how the material was obtained before considering criminal charges. Campaigners describe Cebu as a known hotspot for child sexual exploitation, and officials say they take such allegations very seriously.
