The Duchess of Sussex has said she is “deeply distressed” by allegations that her father possessed child abuse images.
The claims, made by Meghan Markle’s half-brother Thomas Markle Jr, allege that a stash of images was found at their father Thomas Markle Sr’s former home in the Philippines.
Mr Markle Sr has denied the allegations, calling them “sick lies.”
Meghan Markle distressed by allegations father had child abuse images
Meghan said: "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.
"In 2018, a letter was sent to the Metropolitan Police and Royalty and Specialist Protection.
"That letter was subsequently shared with me.
"It made troubling and disturbing allegations against my father and I was given assurances that these were being investigated.
"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.
"I trusted that the authorities were doing the same for other families.
"Although the breadth of what has now been uncovered is more sickening than one could ever imagine, my sincerest hope is that justice will be fully served and that the priority remains the safety and protection of innocent children."
Meghan became estranged from her father in the lead-up to her 2018 royal wedding, after it emerged that he had staged paparazzi photographs.
He did not attend the ceremony, and she was instead accompanied down the aisle by the King.
Meghan is the only child from Mr Markle’s marriage to Doria Ragland, though he has two children, Samantha Markle and Thomas Jr., from a previous marriage.
In 2021, she won a High Court privacy and copyright claim against Associated Newspapers Limited over the publication of a handwritten letter she wrote to her father in August 2018.
She wrote the letter, which was five pages long, after seeking advice from two senior members of the Royal Family.
Mr Markle Sr relocated to the Philippines in 2025 after suffering multiple strokes.
He later had his leg amputated during life-saving surgery in December that year.
Recommended reading:
- Prince Harry admits he wants family rift to ‘work out’ in emotional new interview
- King Charles strips 5 more people of honours including former Royal Navy officer
- Prince Harry and Meghan 'surprised' by King Charles letter on their royal status
A spokesperson for the Duchess said Meghan had “reached out” to her father following the operation and had attempted to contact him on previous occasions.
He is now said to be living in a rehabilitation centre in Florida, where he is learning to walk again.
The Metropolitan Police has been contacted for comment.
Share