The Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, has explained why she kept her children away from her estranged father, Thomas Markle, saying her decision was taken to protect them following disturbing allegations she learnt about in 2018.
As reported by the BBC on Friday, Meghan disclosed in a statement following reports that images of child sexual abuse had allegedly been found at her father’s former home in the Philippines.
Thomas Markle has denied possessing any such images.
The Duchess said she was informed of allegations against her father after a letter containing the claims was sent to the Metropolitan Police in 2018 and subsequently shared with her.
“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,” Meghan said.
She explained that when she received the letter outlining the allegations, she was assured that they were being investigated.
Meghan added that the information helped explain why she had maintained her distance from her father and prevented him from having contact with her children.
“I hope it can be understood why I have kept my distance from my father and do not allow him to have contact with our children,” she said, adding that the decision was made “to protect them”.
The Duchess said she had trusted the authorities to take appropriate action to protect other families as well.
She described the allegations as “more sickening than one could ever imagine”, adding that her priority was the safety of children and that justice should be served.
“My sincerest hope is that justice will be fully served and that the priority remains the safety and protection of innocent children,” she said.
The allegations were reportedly made by Meghan’s half-brother, Thomas Markle Jr., who told _The Sun_ that he had found the images at their father’s home in the Philippines and reported the matter to the police.
The Philippines Department of Justice has confirmed that the matter is under investigation by an anti-human trafficking and child sexual exploitation task force in Cebu.
The country’s Interior Minister, Jonvic Remulla, also told the BBC that national police had secured Thomas Markle Snr’s computer for a comprehensive digital forensic examination.
According to Remulla, investigators were analysing the data to establish the scope of the alleged offences, with forensic results expected to take about a week.
It is understood that the Metropolitan Police is not investigating Meghan’s father. However, the force is reportedly conducting an internal inquiry to establish whether its royal protection unit passed the 2018 letter to the Duchess.
Thomas Markle, 82, has denied possessing the alleged images. No findings of the ongoing investigation have been reported.
Meghan’s relationship with her father deteriorated in the run-up to her 2018 wedding to Prince Harry after he was found to have colluded with photographers to stage pictures ahead of the ceremony. He subsequently withdrew from attending the wedding, citing health problems.
The Duchess was instead walked down the aisle by King Charles III, who was then the Prince of Wales.
Thomas Markle later moved to the Philippines in 2025 following a series of strokes. He reportedly underwent surgery in December 2025, during which his leg was amputated, and has since been receiving rehabilitation.
Meghan and Prince Harry stepped back from their roles as senior working royals in 2020 and moved to the United States with their family. The couple and their two children returned to the United Kingdom in August, although their spokesperson has denied that the allegations against Thomas Markle influenced their decision.
The investigation into the allegations remains ongoing.