The Duchess of Sussex is reportedly hoping for a comprehensive investigation into her estranged father, Thomas Markle Sr, following his arrest and charge over the alleged possession of child sexual abuse material.
A close friend of Meghan, 45, said she wants justice for the alleged victims after investigators reportedly uncovered images showing children being sexually abused.
Speaking to The Sun, the source said: “It is her sincerest hope that a full and thorough investigation will now help deliver justice for the victims.”
Meghan and her husband, Prince Harry, 42, were informed about the FBI’s findings in their father’s rented storage facilities in Los Angeles on Friday.
Thomas Markle Released Under House Arrest
The 82-year-old former Hollywood lighting director was arrested on Friday morning after federal agents arrived at Maravida Senior Living, the assisted living facility in Lakeland, Florida, where he resides.
His arrest followed the discovery of suspected child sexual abuse material in two storage units he had rented in Los Angeles for nearly two decades.
Markle was subsequently charged with one count of possession of child pornography. He did not enter a plea during his initial court appearance and was released on bond later that afternoon.
Judge Lindsay Griffin ordered him to remain under house arrest at his care home while the case proceeds.
Photographs obtained by the Daily Mail showed the wheelchair-bound pensioner being escorted from the facility in handcuffs shortly after 9am local time.
He was taken to a waiting ambulance as law enforcement officers surrounded the property.
Markle, who had his leg amputated following a medical emergency in the Philippines last December, appeared in court later that day wearing a T-shirt and black sweatpants.
His hands were visibly trembling as the judge outlined the allegations against him.
When asked whether he understood the accusations, he responded quietly: “Yes.”
FBI Details Allegations Against Markle
According to an FBI affidavit, investigators discovered photographs, film negatives and books allegedly containing child sexual abuse material inside the two Los Angeles storage units.
Agents reportedly used specialised equipment to convert some of the negatives into colour digital photographs.
An FBI agent described one image as showing an adult man wearing a white shirt and blue jeans with a naked pre-pubescent girl sitting on his lap.
The affidavit alleges that the man was touching the child in an act of sexual abuse.
Another photograph reportedly showed an adult man with his arm around a young girl’s hips while looking down at her naked body.
A third image allegedly depicted a naked child sitting on a bed, with another partially clothed girl standing behind her.
Investigators are said to have interviewed witnesses in an effort to establish the identity of the adult appearing in the photographs.
One source who reportedly knew Markle since the 1970s identified him as the man depicted.
The FBI also recovered approximately 78 items from the two storage facilities, including slides, film negatives and books.
Markle’s Son Reportedly Alerted Authorities
The investigation gained momentum after Thomas Markle Jr, 60, reportedly contacted police in the Philippines about material discovered among his father’s abandoned belongings in Cebu.
Thomas Jr had been living in the country before his father returned to the United States following the amputation of his leg.
He reportedly discovered the material while going through his father’s possessions and subsequently informed the FBI about the alleged contents of the Los Angeles storage units.
Markle had continued paying approximately £520 a month to rent the facilities despite reportedly not visiting them for several years.
According to the criminal complaint, his most recent payment was made automatically last month.
FBI Director Confirms Federal Investigation
FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed the arrest in a statement, alleging that Markle had targeted children through criminal activity.
“Mr Markle allegedly targeted innocent children and sought to steal their innocence through his criminal actions,” Patel said.
He added that federal agents worked with the Justice Department to locate the material and arrest the 82-year-old in Florida.
First Assistant US Attorney Bill Essayli also confirmed that federal prosecutors intended to pursue the case.
“These allegations are extremely serious, and we will prosecute Mr Markle to the fullest extent of federal law,” he said.
Markle has vehemently denied the allegations.
When approached by a Daily Mail reporter following his arrest and asked whether he was a paedophile, he replied: “No.”
However, he did not respond when questioned about whether he had ever collected child pornography.
Separate Investigation Underway in Mexico
The Los Angeles investigation follows a separate raid by Mexican authorities on a storage facility in Rosarito, where Markle previously lived.
The search took place at Baja Storage, a gated facility approximately ten miles south of the US border.
Investigators reportedly entered Unit 22, a 5ft by 10ft storage space linked to Markle, after suspected child sexual abuse material was discovered inside.
The search involved forensic computing specialists, crime scene investigators and officials from the Baja state attorney general’s office.
Authorities seized computers, USB drives, VHS tapes and magazines as part of their investigation.
A search warrant obtained by the Daily Mail reportedly authorised investigators to look for evidence of child sexual abuse material and suspected aggravated human trafficking.
The unit also contained photographs of naked Asian females, some of whom appeared to be young, alongside magazines depicting the sexual abuse of children.
Other items included 35mm film negatives, old hard drives and VHS tapes bearing various titles.
A paper plate marked with the words “DARK WEB” alongside several web addresses was also reportedly discovered.
Markle subsequently denied having a storage unit in Rosarito, telling the Daily Mail: “I had no storage units in Rosarito!”
Philippine Authorities Consider Further Charges
Police in the Philippines are reportedly close to bringing formal charges against Markle following the alleged discovery of child abuse images at his former residence in the country last month.
The multinational investigation has involved law enforcement agencies in the United States and Mexico, with Philippine authorities also examining the allegations.
Markle moved to Florida in the spring after spending several years abroad.
Before his arrest, he had relocated to a senior living facility specialising in dementia care, reportedly costing approximately $3,900 (£2,900) per month.
His arrest has brought renewed attention to the estrangement between him and Meghan, who have been separated for several years.
The Duchess is now reportedly hoping that investigators will establish the full circumstances surrounding the allegations and deliver justice for anyone who may have been affected.
