Meghan Markle Discloses 2018 Police Letter Concerning Father's Alleged Child Abuse Images

The Duchess of Sussex revealed that the Metropolitan Police shared a 2018 letter with her detailing disturbing allegations that her father, Thomas Markle Sr, possessed child sexual abuse images. Meghan Markle described the claims as deeply distressing in a statement issued through a spokesperson on Thursday. The disclosure comes as Philippine authorities conduct a digital forensic examination of computers found at Markle Sr's former home in Cebu.

The Sun newspaper reported that Markle Sr's half-brother, Thomas Markle Jr, told detectives he found hundreds, if not thousands, of images on computers and mobile phones stored in four large boxes. Markle Jr, 60, contacted the FBI, which stated it will support Philippine authorities and investigate any related federal violations. Philippine Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla confirmed that national police secured the computers for a full digital forensic examination, which he expects to yield results within one week.

In her statement, Meghan Markle explained that a letter sent in 2018 to the Met's Royalty and Specialist Protection unit, known as Rasp, was later passed to her. She said the letter made troubling allegations against her father and that she was assured they were being investigated. Sources indicated that the Rasp unit shared the letter shortly after her wedding. She stated that she could not speak publicly at the time to avoid jeopardizing a potential investigation or exposing herself to legal action.

The Duchess said her distance from her father and her decision to limit his contact with their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, were intended to protect them. She added that she trusted authorities were acting similarly for other families and hopes justice will be fully served. The Metropolitan Police has not previously investigated Markle Sr and is not doing so now, according to the force. It is conducting internal inquiries to confirm if Rasp officers were involved in passing the letter.

Thomas Markle Sr has denied the claims, calling them sick lies in an interview with the Daily Mail. Speaking from a rehabilitation center in Florida, where he is learning to walk with a prosthetic limb after a left leg amputation, he said he was shocked and hurt. He stated the computers had not been in his possession since he left Rosarito, Mexico, in January 2025 to move to the Philippines for a fresh start after a stroke.

Markle Sr's half-sister, Samantha Markle, also defended their father. She accused Thomas Markle Jr of making up lies to make money and alleged the claims emerged days after their father cut off his funds. She noted that the computers were out of their father's possession for two years, which she said leaves room for tampering.

Thomas Markle Sr has been estranged from his daughter since he missed her wedding to Prince Harry on health grounds. He has never met his grandchildren, Prince Archie, who is seven, and Princess Lilibet, who is five. The matter remains under active investigation by a human trafficking and child sexual exploitation taskforce in Cebu, according to Nicholas Ty, an undersecretary at the Philippine justice department.