Authorities in the Philippines said they are investigating allegations that Thomas Markle Sr, the father of the Duchess of Sussex, had a hoard of child sex abuse images.
According to The Sun, Meghan’s half-brother, Thomas Markle Jr, alleged that he found a stash of images belonging to their father at his former home in the Philippines.
He reportedly told police in the country that he discovered the child abuse pictures and videos mixed up with innocent family mementos.
The newspaper said 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.”
In an interview with the Daily Mail, Thomas Sr denied possessing child sex images, calling the accusations “sick lies”.
On Friday, Meghan said she was made aware of “disturbing allegations” about her father in 2018.
She said she was shown a letter sent to Scotland Yard eight years ago making “troubling” allegations against Thomas Markle Sr and she was assured that these were being investigated.
It is understood the Metropolitan Police has not previously, nor is the force currently, investigating Mr Markle.
The force said it is making internal inquiries regarding officers from the Met’s Royalty and Specialist Protection Command being involved in the passing on of a letter.
It is unclear what the nature of the allegations in 2018 were and whether they are linked to the accusations raised by his son now in 2026.
Meghan with her mother Doria Ragland (PA)
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It is understood the letter sent to the Metropolitan Police was shared with Meghan in the summer of 2018, after her wedding to Harry.
In a statement first reported by The Sun and issued to the Press Association, 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.”
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex at The Community Recording Studio in Nottingham last week (Doug Peters/PA)
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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.”
In his interview with the Mail, Mr Markle 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: “When I found this material I was horrified and I had no option but to report my dad.
“I have supported, cared for him and helped him for years — but that stops now.
“I won’t speak to my father ever again unless I’m called to give evidence against him.”
The FBI said in a statement: “The FBI is aware of the allegations and will provide support, as appropriate, to the Philippine authorities.
“We will also investigate any related allegations of federal violations of US law.”
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex on their wedding day (Jane Barlow/PA)
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Thomas Sr’s eldest daughter Samantha Markle has defended her father and accused Thomas Jr of “making up lies” to make money.
Meghan became estranged from her former TV lighting director father in the run-up to her 2018 royal wedding after he was caught staging paparazzi photographs.
Mr Markle did not attend the wedding, leaving the King to accompany Meghan down the aisle and meaning the only member of her family present was her mother, Doria Ragland.
Meghan was the only child of Mr Markle’s marriage to Ms Ragland, though he has two children – Samantha and Thomas Jr – from an earlier marriage.
In 2021, Meghan won a High Court privacy and copyright claim against Associated Newspapers Limited (ANL) over articles that reproduced parts of a “personal and private” handwritten letter she wrote to Mr Markle in a bid to get him to stop talking to the press.
She penned the emotional five-page letter to him in August 2018 after taking advice from two unnamed senior royals.
In 2025, Mr Markle moved to the Philippines for a new life after suffering a series of strokes.
Then, in December of that year, he had his leg amputated during life-saving surgery.
Meghan “reached out” to him in the aftermath of the operation, a spokesperson for the duchess revealed, and Meghan was also said to have tried to do so previously.
He is reportedly now living in a rehab centre in Florida, where he is learning to walk again.
Buckingham Palace and the Philippine Department of Justice have been contacted for comment.