Meghan Markle Says She Learned of 'Disturbing Allegations' Against Dad in 2018
Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, says she first learned of "disturbing allegations" against her estranged father, Thomas Markle Sr., back in 2018, and that those concerns are why she kept her children away from him.
Her statement comes after reports that Markle, who is in his 80s, is under investigation in the Philippines over alleged possession of child sexual abuse material. Markle denies the allegations and has not been charged.
What Meghan Said
In a statement released Friday, Meghan said she was "deeply distressed" by the reports, CBS News reported.
She said that in 2018, a letter containing allegations against her father was sent to London's Metropolitan Police and its Royalty and Specialist Protection Command. Meghan said she was later shown the letter. "I was given assurances that these were being investigated," she said.
Meghan explained that her decision to keep her father at a distance was about her children. She said that "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."
"My thoughts are with any children who may have been harmed," she said, adding that "the priority remains the safety and protection of innocent children." She said her "sincerest hope is that justice will be fully served." Meghan described the material that has been reported as "more sickening than one could ever imagine."
The Allegations
The investigation began after Markle's son, Thomas Markle Jr., told the British tabloid The Sun that he found disturbing material in boxes at his father's former home in Cebu, Philippines, while clearing out the property. Markle Jr. is Meghan's half-brother, and the two have long been estranged. He said he reported what he found to Philippine police and contacted the FBI, according to ABC News Australia.
Philippine Justice Undersecretary Nicholas Ty told Reuters that an anti-trafficking task force in Cebu "is currently investigating the matter." A Philippine justice official confirmed to CBS News that Markle is the subject of the investigation. The Philippine News Agency reported that the country's Department of Justice was looking into reports involving "an octogenarian American national" who had lived in Cebu province.
Thomas Markle Denies Wrongdoing
Markle has strongly denied the accusations. "I have never downloaded anything like that in my life," he told the Daily Mail, calling the claims "sick lies."
Markle was living in the Philippines earlier this year when he suffered a stroke and had his left leg amputated, which forced him to return to the United States.
London's Metropolitan Police said it is aware of reports that officers from its Royalty and Specialist Protection Command were involved in passing on a letter in 2018. "We are undertaking enquiries internally in an effort to confirm this," a spokesperson said.
A Long Estrangement
Meghan and her father have been estranged for years. Markle did not attend her May 2018 wedding to Prince Harry, and he has frequently criticized the couple in interviews since then.
Meghan and Harry stepped back from their roles as senior working royals in 2020 and moved to California, where they have been raising their two young children. The couple made an unexpected return to live in the U.K. in August of this year, and Harry recently said he hopes to reconcile with King Charles and Prince William.
The investigation in the Philippines is ongoing, and no charges have been announced. The Sun first reported the allegations on Thursday, and Meghan released her statement the following day.
Anyone with information about the possible exploitation of a child in the U.S. can report it to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children's CyberTipline at 1-800-843-5678 or online at report.cybertip.org.
Curious for more stories that keep you informed and entertained? From the latest headlines to everyday insights, YourLifeBuzz has more to explore. Dive into what’s next.