By Salma El-Sakka
The Duchess of Sussex has expressed deep distress following allegations that her estranged father, Thomas Markle Sr., possessed child sex abuse images. Meghan Markle stated that her decision to maintain distance from her father and prevent him from contacting her children was motivated by the need to protect them.
Allegations and Investigation
The accusations were brought forward by Meghan's half-brother, Thomas Markle Jr., who claims to have discovered hundreds, possibly thousands, of images and videos at his father's former residence in Cebu, Philippines. He reported the findings to local police, the FBI, and the National Center for Exploited and Missing Children. According to reports, the material was discovered in storage boxes while searching for a phone, and an IT expert later helped access content on three computer hard drives.
Philippine Interior Minister Joniv Remulla commented that the situation suggests the accused could be a serious sex offender. Court papers filed in Cebu have initiated a police inquiry into the matter.
Response from Thomas Markle Sr.
Thomas Markle Sr. has vehemently denied the allegations, describing them as "sick lies" and "bullsh**t." While admitting to paying for sex during his time in Southeast Asia, he maintained that he has never had sexual contact with anyone under the age of 18. He expressed shock and hurt over his son's accusations, suggesting they are an attempt to destroy him.
Past Correspondence and Police Involvement
The Metropolitan Police confirmed that a letter containing allegations of offending outside the United Kingdom was passed to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in 2019. The Duchess noted she was previously assured these claims were being investigated. The Metropolitan Police are currently reviewing how the matter was handled, including whether the case should be referred to a police watchdog.
It has also emerged that in 2025, while Mr. Markle Sr. was recovering from a leg amputation in the Philippines, the Duchess reportedly sent him a final letter. In the correspondence, she allegedly stated that she knew he was an abuser and informed him that he would never meet his grandchildren, Archie and Lilibet.
