Meghan Markle says she is “deeply distressed” after allegations against her estranged father, Thomas Markle Sr, prompted an investigation by authorities in the Philippines.
In a statement issued on Friday, the Duchess of Sussex revealed she had been shown a letter in 2018 containing what she described as “troubling and disturbing allegations” about her father and had been assured they were being investigated.
The intervention comes after officials in the Philippines confirmed they are investigating claims that Thomas Markle Sr had a hoard of child sex abuse images at his former home in the country.
According to The Sun, Meghan's half-brother, Thomas Markle Jr, told police he discovered child abuse pictures and videos among family belongings while clearing the property. The newspaper reported that he also contacted FBI investigators in the US in July.
Nicholas Ty, undersecretary for the Philippines Department of Justice, told ITV News: “Our Anti-Trafficking and Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children taskforce in Cebu is currently investigating the matter.”
Reacting to the allegations, 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.”
She went on to reveal that a letter had been sent to the Metropolitan Police and Royalty and Specialist Protection in 2018 and was later shared with her.
“It made troubling and disturbing allegations against my father and I was given assurances that these were being investigated,” she said.
In her strongest comments yet on her rift with her father, Meghan suggested the allegations help explain why she chose to distance him from her family.
“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,” she said.
“I trusted that the authorities were doing the same for other families.”
The Duchess added: “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.”
The claims mark a severe deterioration in Meghan’s relationship with her father, from whom she became estranged prior to her 2018 wedding to Prince Harry.
Thomas Markle claimed to have had a heart attack and did not attend the ceremony, with the then-Prince Charles stepping in to accompany Meghan down the aisle.
Since then, the pair are understood to have had little contact despite reports that the Duchess attempted to reach out following her father's serious health problems.
It is understood the Metropolitan Police has not previously investigating Mr Markle. However, the force said it is carrying out internal inquiries after reports officers from its Royalty and Specialist Protection Command were involved in passing on a letter in 2018.
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: “We are aware of media reports that officers from the Met's Royalty and Specialist Protection Command were involved in the passing on of a letter in 2018.
“We are undertaking inquiries internally in an effort to confirm this.”
It remains unclear what the allegations contained in the 2018 letter were, or whether they are connected to the accusations now being investigated in the Philippines.
Thomas Markle Sr has strongly denied the claims. In an interview with the Daily Mail, he said: “I'm shocked, I'm hurt and I'm very upset that my son is making these accusations against me. I could never do what I'm being accused of. It's the worst thing anyone could accuse me of.
“This is bulls***. It's just a bunch of lies. It's sick. I have no idea why Tom is trying to destroy me with these lies.”
Thomas Markle Jr told The Sun he felt compelled to report his father after making the alleged discovery.
“When I found this material I was horrified and I had no option but to report my dad,” he said.
“I have supported, cared for him and helped him for years – but that stops now.”
The FBI said it was aware of the allegations and would provide support to Philippine authorities where appropriate, while also investigating any related allegations of federal violations of US law.