NAIROBI, Kenya – Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, has revealed that she was informed of disturbing allegations against her estranged father, Thomas Markle, in 2018, as Philippine authorities reportedly investigate separate claims involving alleged child sexual abuse material.
In a statement released on Friday, October 23, Meghan said a letter containing allegations against her father had been sent to London’s Metropolitan Police in 2018 and was subsequently shared with her.
She said she had been assured at the time that the allegations were being investigated, adding that the latest reports had left her deeply distressed.
“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,” she said.
Meghan’s statement comes after reports that her half-brother, Thomas Markle Jr., had allegedly discovered images and videos depicting child sexual abuse among belongings stored at their father’s former home in Cebu, Philippines.
Meghan explains decision to keep her children away
The Duchess said the allegations had reinforced her concerns about maintaining distance from her father, with whom she has been estranged since 2018.
She said she hoped the public would understand why she had chosen not to allow Thomas Markle to have contact with her children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
Her decision, she explained, was intended to protect them while she trusted that the relevant authorities were investigating the concerns raised.
Meghan described the allegations as deeply disturbing and said her priority was the safety of children who might have been harmed.
Her comments provide a rare public explanation of the estrangement in the context of the latest allegations.
What is alleged to have been found?
According to reports by British newspaper The Sun, Thomas Markle Jr. told authorities he had discovered suspected child sexual abuse material among boxes containing personal belongings and electronic devices associated with his father.
He reportedly contacted US authorities in July and later submitted a statement to Philippine investigators. Reports have said a specialist team was established to examine the allegations.
The reported discovery has not been independently verified through publicly released forensic findings.
Thomas Markle Sr. has denied possessing the material. In an interview with the Daily Mail, he described the accusations as “sick lies”.
Meghan’s half-sister, Samantha Markle, has also defended their father, disputing the allegations and questioning who had access to the devices. She accused Thomas Markle Jr. of making claims to damage their father, a characterisation that remains her allegation.
The competing accounts mean the claims must be treated as allegations while investigators establish the origin, ownership and nature of any material recovered.
A family estrangement dating back to 2018
Meghan’s relationship with her father deteriorated in the run-up to her May 2018 wedding to Prince Harry, after controversy surrounding staged paparazzi photographs and Thomas Markle’s eventual absence from the ceremony.
The two have remained estranged since then, despite occasional public statements by Thomas Markle expressing a desire to reconnect with his daughter and meet her children.
The latest developments have brought renewed attention to that separation, although the allegations under investigation are distinct from the circumstances that led to the original estrangement.
Meghan said her hope was that justice would be served and that authorities would prioritise protecting children.
