Duchess Says She Received 2018 Warning Letter About Father's Allegations

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, stated on Friday that she learned of serious allegations against her father in 2018. The duchess described herself as deeply distressed by reports that Thomas Markle Sr. is currently under investigation in the Philippines. The probe centers on claims that he possessed child sexual abuse materials.

The timeline of the allegations extends back eight years. Meghan explained that a letter was sent to the Metropolitan Police and its Royalty and Specialist Protection unit in 2018. She said the letter contained troubling claims about her father and was later shared with her. Meghan noted that she was given assurances at the time that an investigation was taking place. However, the Metropolitan Police said it is not currently investigating Thomas Markle. A spokesperson for the force said they are conducting internal enquiries to confirm if their officers helped pass on the letter in 2018.

The current legal process began with a report filed by Meghan’s son, Thomas Markle Jr. The British tabloid The Sun reported on Thursday that the younger man reported his father to Philippine authorities. He allegedly found child abuse materials in storage boxes at the family home in Cebu province. According to The Daily Mail, Thomas Jr. made the discovery after switching on an old cell phone. He found the materials while his father was in the United States receiving treatment for a stroke and a blood clot.

Thomas Markle Jr. is said to have reported the findings to the FBI hotline, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and state police in Pennsylvania in July. Thomas Markle Sr. denied the claims in an interview with The Daily Mail on Friday. He stated he had never downloaded such materials and called the accusations sick lies.

Philippine authorities confirmed the probe on Friday. The state-run Philippine News Agency posted on Facebook that the Department of Justice is investigating an octogenarian American national. The agency reported that a justice official confirmed Thomas Markle Sr. is the subject of the inquiry. The department’s anti-trafficking task force is handling the matter.

Meghan also addressed her relationship with her father in her statement. She said she distanced herself from him to protect her children. She stated that her choice to limit contact was intended to ensure their safety. The duchess said her sincerest hope is that justice is fully served and that the priority remains the protection of innocent children.

The investigation is ongoing in Cebu province. The Department of Justice has not yet announced a timeline for the probe's conclusion. Thomas Markle Sr. remains in the United States as of Friday.