Meghan Markle has said she is “deeply distressed” by allegations that her father, Thomas Markle Snr, was found in possession of child sexual abuse images, adding that her priority is the safety and protection of children.
In a statement, the Duchess of Sussex revealed that allegations against her father had been brought to her attention in 2018 after a letter was sent to the Metropolitan Police’s Royalty and Specialist Protection team.
Meghan said the letter was subsequently shared with her and that she had been assured the allegations were being investigated.
“I am deeply distressed at the news that has come to light in the last 24 hours, and my thoughts are with any children who may have been harmed,” she said.
She added that the revelations had reinforced her decision to remain estranged from her father and prevent him from having contact with her children.
“I hope it can now be understood that, despite certain media publications’ distortion over the years, any distance from my father and my choice to not allow him to have contact with our children, was for one reason: to protect them,” Meghan said.
She expressed hope that justice would be served and that the protection of children would remain the priority.
Thomas Markle Denies the Allegations Against Him
Thomas Markle Snr has strongly denied possessing or downloading child sexual abuse material, describing the accusations as lies.
Speaking to the Daily Mail from a rehabilitation centre in Florida, the 82-year-old said he was shocked and upset by allegations made by his son, Thomas Markle Jr.
“I’m shocked, I’m hurt and I’m very upset that my son is making these accusations against me. I could never do what I’m being accused of,” he said.
He added: “This is bulls***. It’s just a bunch of lies. It’s sick. I have no idea why Tom is trying to destroy me with these lies.”
Markle said he had never downloaded such material and maintained that the allegations had been made without proof.
He also said he would welcome a forensic examination of the computers in question to establish when the alleged material was downloaded and who had access to the devices.
Son Reports Alleged Images to Police
Thomas Markle Jr, 60, made the allegations in an interview with The Sun, claiming that he discovered hundreds of child sexual abuse images stored on computers and a mobile phone.
According to his account, the devices were among possessions belonging to his father that had been left in four storage boxes at the family’s home in the Philippines.
Markle Jr said he had searched the boxes in July while looking for a phone for his fiancée, Rose. He claimed that he opened one mobile phone and encountered a graphic image involving a child.
He later examined a computer and alleged that its screensaver displayed hundreds of disturbing thumbnail images. He also claimed to have found a video involving a young girl.
Markle Jr initially reported the alleged material to the FBI and the US Center for Abused and Exploited Children. He subsequently took the material to police in Cebu, Philippines, accompanied by a Sun journalist.
Cebu police have launched an investigation into the allegations.
Father Questions Who Had Access to the Computers
Thomas Markle Snr disputes his son’s account and says the computers had been outside his possession for an extended period.
He explained that the devices had been packed in Mexico before being transported to the Philippines, a process he said took several months.
Markle claimed he repeatedly asked his son to return the computers but was unable to recover them.
He said the family moved into two adjoining houses in December 2025 and that he later became seriously ill after suffering a major blood clot. He was subsequently hospitalised and transferred to a rehabilitation facility.
“I don’t know who had access to the computers,” he said, adding that he had been unable to understand why his son had refused to return them.
Markle said he was willing to cooperate with investigators because he maintained that he had done nothing wrong.
Thomas Markle Is Recovering After Leg Amputation
The allegations have emerged while Thomas Markle Snr is receiving medical treatment in Florida.
His left leg was amputated below the knee last December after he suffered a major blood clot. He is now learning to walk with a prosthetic limb at a rehabilitation centre.
Markle has also experienced ongoing heart problems and recently underwent the insertion of a third stent after doctors found that his heart was functioning at approximately 30 per cent efficiency.
During his interview with the Daily Mail, nurses reportedly performed an electrocardiogram after his heart rate became concerning amid the stress surrounding the allegations.
He said the accusations had left him feeling distressed and unsafe, adding that he was considering legal action.
Thomas Markle Jr and His Father Have a Troubled Relationship
The allegations have emerged against the backdrop of a difficult relationship between Thomas Markle Snr and his son.
Markle Jr moved from Oregon to Rosarito, Mexico, in 2022 to live with his father, who had retired there after working as a Hollywood lighting director.
Thomas Markle Snr said he had supported his son financially for much of his life, including after the younger man moved in following his stroke.
He claimed that the financial support ended in July after a family member discovered that money had allegedly been taken from his account.
Markle Snr suggested that the timing of his son’s accusations had raised questions for him, although he said he did not know why the allegations had been made.
He also said he had not spoken to his son for several months and believed their last conversation had been friendly.
Thomas Markle’s Eldest Daughter Defends Him
Samantha Markle, 61, who is her father’s main caregiver in Florida, has rejected her brother’s allegations and accused him of making false claims.
Samantha, who is Thomas Markle Snr’s daughter from his first marriage to Roslyn Loveless, said she believed the accusations were intended to damage their father’s reputation and generate money through media coverage.
“There is no merit in these disgusting allegations whatsoever and my brother is disgusting for making them up. He wants to destroy our dad. Shame on him,” she said.
She also questioned the reliability of the allegations because, according to her, the computers had been outside her father’s possession for two years.
Samantha alleged that other people could have accessed or tampered with the devices during that period. She further accused her brother of having a history of making claims about their father for financial gain.
She said the allegations were particularly distressing given her father’s physical condition and accused her brother of acting out of resentment.
Thomas Markle Snr has denied the allegations, while police in Cebu continue to investigate the reported discovery of the material.
Meghan and Her Father Have Been Estranged Since 2018
Meghan has had no contact with her father since 2018, the year she married Prince Harry. Thomas Markle Snr has never met the couple’s children, Archie, seven, and Lilibet, five.
The relationship deteriorated before Meghan’s wedding after her father posed for paparazzi photographs. He later suffered two heart attacks and was unable to walk his daughter down the aisle.
Thomas Markle Snr has previously said that he and Meghan had a close relationship before she met Prince Harry.
Asked about reports that people close to Meghan believed the new allegations explained her decision to remain estranged from him, he said he did not believe that was the reason.
Meghan’s latest statement says her decision to prevent contact between her father and her children was made to protect them.
Investigation Continues as Markle Considers Legal Action
Thomas Markle Snr has said he is considering legal action in response to the allegations, while reiterating that he wants the claims investigated.
He expressed concern that accusations of this nature could follow him even if they were not substantiated.
“I’m angry, I’m hurt and I want the world to know these are terrible lies,” he said.
Police in Cebu have opened an investigation after Thomas Markle Jr reported the alleged material. The allegations against Thomas Markle Snr remain allegations, and he has denied any wrongdoing.
