Meghan says she got a police letter about her dad in 2018

Meghan Markle stated on Thursday that she was deeply distressed by new allegations that her father, Thomas Markle Sr., possessed images of child sexual abuse. The Duchess issued the statement through a spokesperson following a report in The Sun. That report detailed claims from Markle Sr.'s half-brother, Thomas Markle Jr., who said he discovered a collection of digital files at their former family home in the Philippines.

In her remarks, Meghan revealed that the Metropolitan Police had shared a letter with her in 2018. The letter originated from the force's Royalty and Specialist Protection unit, known as Rasp. It contained what she described as disturbing allegations against her father. She said she was assured at the time that authorities were investigating the matter. Meghan explained that her decision to keep a distance from her father and limit his contact with her children was intended to protect them. "I trusted that the authorities were doing the same for other families," she said.

Sources familiar with the situation indicated that Meghan did not speak publicly in 2018 to avoid jeopardizing a potential investigation or facing legal action. The Rasp unit reportedly passed the letter to her shortly after her wedding to Prince Harry. The Metropolitan Police has not previously investigated Markle Sr. and is not currently conducting an investigation into him, according to those sources. The force stated it is making internal inquiries to confirm whether Rasp officers were involved in sharing the document.

Thomas Markle Jr., 60, told detectives in the Philippines that he found hundreds, if not thousands, of images on computers and mobile phones. The devices were stored in four large boxes at the family home in Cebu. Markle Sr. lived in that residence until returning to the United States in May following a stroke. The half-brother also contacted the Federal Bureau of Investigation, which said it will support Philippine authorities and investigate any federal violations of US law.

Philippine officials confirmed the matter is under active review. Nicholas Ty, an undersecretary at the justice department, said a human trafficking and child sexual exploitation taskforce in Cebu is handling the case. Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla announced that national police have secured Markle Sr.'s computer for a full digital forensic examination. Remulla estimated the process would take one week to produce results.

Markle Sr. denied the accusations, describing them as sick lies in an interview with the Daily Mail. He is currently at a rehabilitation center in Florida, learning to walk with a prosthetic limb after having his left leg amputated due to a blood clot. He said the computers had not been in his possession since he left Rosarito, Mexico, in January 2025. His half-sister, Samantha Markle, supported his denial and alleged the claims were fabricated for financial gain. She noted that the computers had been out of their father's possession for two years, creating room for tampering.

Markle Sr. has been estranged from Meghan since he missed her 2018 wedding on health grounds. He has never met his grandchildren, Prince Archie, who is seven, and Princess Lilibet, who is five.