Meghan Markle has been described as a potential victim of the latest controversy involving her estranged family, following allegations against her father, Thomas Markle Senior.
Speaking on the Daily Mail’s Deep Dive podcast, senior features writer Guy Adams discussed the allegations and the wider history of public disputes involving the Duchess of Sussex’s relatives.
Philippine police are investigating the 82-year-old over allegations that he possessed child sexual abuse material. The material was reportedly discovered in boxes shipped to Cebu from a home he had shared with his son in Mexico.
Thomas Senior has strongly denied the allegations. No charges have been brought, and investigators are awaiting a warrant to examine the devices reportedly containing the material.
Meghan Says She Is Deeply Distressed by the Allegations
Meghan, who has been estranged from her father since 2018, responded to the reports by saying she was “deeply distressed”.
She also expressed concern for “any children who may have been harmed”.
Adams said on the podcast that Meghan could be viewed sympathetically regardless of the outcome of the investigation.
“If the story’s true, she’s a victim and if it’s not true, I think one would sympathise with her for having such a ghastly family,” he said.
Adams also discussed the history of public disagreements among Meghan’s relatives, saying several family members had previously given interviews or shared information about one another with the media.
He added that it was difficult to predict how the latest allegations would develop.
Thomas Markle Junior Says He Reported His Father to Police
The allegations came to light after Thomas Markle Junior, 60, reportedly contacted police about material he said he had discovered while living with his father in the Philippines.
According to The Sun, Thomas Junior found photographs and DVDs inside four cardboard boxes while searching for an old mobile phone.
He told the newspaper that he was horrified by what he found and believed he had no choice but to report his father.
“When I found this material, I was horrified and I had no option but to report my dad,” he said.
However, Adams noted that Thomas Junior’s motives had been questioned because of previous disputes within the family and his history of speaking publicly about his relatives.
Samantha Markle Questions Her Brother’s Motives
Samantha Markle, Meghan’s 61-year-old half-sister and a defender of their father, has accused Thomas Junior of making the allegations to attract media attention and earn money.
In comments reported by the Daily Mail, Samantha claimed that a financial dispute between her father and brother preceded the police report.
She alleged that the family had examined Thomas Senior’s finances after concerns arose about money being withdrawn from his bank account by someone other than him.
According to Samantha, Thomas Senior believed the withdrawals had not been authorised and changed his banking passwords to prevent further transactions.
Adams said Samantha placed the dispute in July, when she claimed the financial disagreement came to a head and allegations against their father followed.
Thomas Junior has not commented on the claims concerning his father’s bank account.
The allegations about the family’s finances remain separate from the police investigation into the material reportedly discovered in the boxes.
Thomas Junior’s Past Public Disputes With His Father
Adams also discussed Thomas Junior’s previous dealings with the media and the family’s history of public disagreements.
He said Thomas Junior had given several interviews about his relatives since Meghan became internationally famous, including interviews that were critical of his father.
Adams also referred to an occasion when Thomas Junior reportedly sold a recording of his father discussing his love life to the National Enquirer.
He mentioned earlier legal difficulties involving Thomas Junior, including a drink-driving arrest and a separate case in which he was accused of threatening a girlfriend with a gun. The charges in the latter case were dismissed.
Thomas Markle Senior Vows to Clear His Name
Thomas Senior has said he will do “whatever it takes” to clear his name following the allegations.
He is reportedly in poor health, while the police investigation in the Philippines remains ongoing.
Authorities are waiting for a warrant to examine the relevant devices. The process is expected to take approximately a week once permission is granted.
No charges have been brought against Thomas Senior in connection with the allegations, and the investigation has not yet established whether the material reported by his son constitutes an offence.
Investigation Continues Amid Family Dispute
The allegations have renewed public attention on the long-running estrangement between Meghan and members of her family.
While Thomas Junior says he reported his father after discovering material that alarmed him, Samantha has questioned his motives and linked the dispute to alleged financial disagreements.
Thomas Senior denies the accusations and says he intends to clear his name. Philippine police are continuing their investigation.
