Meghan Markle Claims She Knew of Her Father's Philippines Abuse Probe Allegations in 2018

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, stated on Friday that she learned of allegations against her father, Thomas Markle, in 2018. The claims involve the alleged possession of child sexual abuse materials. She described the situation as "deeply distressed" in a statement provided to CBS News. The Duchess said she has not spoken to her father in recent years.

The core of her explanation centers on a letter sent to U.K. authorities eight years ago. She said the Metropolitan Police and the Royalty and Specialist Protection Command received the document. That letter contained "troubling and disturbing allegations" about Thomas Markle. Meghan claimed she was given assurances that the matter was being investigated at the time. However, a spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police said the force is conducting internal enquiries to confirm the details.

The current legal action began in the Philippines. The Department of Justice confirmed on Friday that an investigation is underway. A Filipino justice official told the state-run Philippine News Agency that the department's anti-trafficking task force is handling the case. The official confirmed that Thomas Markle Sr., an American national in his eighties, is the subject of the probe. The allegations stem from items found in a home in Cebu province.

The discovery was made by Thomas Markle Jr., the Duchess's brother. He reported that he found the materials in storage boxes at the family residence. He said he first saw some of the content after turning on an old cell phone. This happened while his father was in the United States receiving treatment for a stroke and a blood clot. Markle Jr. reportedly contacted an FBI hotline, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and state police in Pennsylvania in July.

Thomas Markle Sr. has denied the charges. He told the Daily Mail on Friday that he has never downloaded such materials. He called the claims "sick lies." The British tabloid The Sun reported on Thursday that Markle Jr. filed the report with Philippine authorities. The Duchess addressed the family separation in her statement. She said she distanced herself from her father to protect her children from the alleged issues.

Meghan said her distance was a deliberate choice to shield her family. She noted that media reports had distorted the reasons for the estrangement over the years. She stated that the priority was always the safety of her children. She expressed hope that justice will be fully served in the Philippines. The investigation remains active as authorities review the digital evidence and witness accounts.

The case involves two jurisdictions and two generations of the Markle family. The U.K. police are verifying their past role in the 2018 letter. The Philippine justice department is actively investigating the physical and digital materials found in Cebu. Thomas Markle Jr. is coordinating with U.S. authorities based on his initial reports. The Duchess is monitoring the proceedings from a distance.