The Duchess of Sussex has said she is “deeply distressed” by accusations her father had a hoard of child sex abuse images.
She also added that she was made aware of “disturbing allegations” against him in 2018 by the Metropolitan Police.
Thomas Markle is being investigated over the material, which was allegedly found by his son Thomas Markle Jr in his father’s former home in Cebu, in the Philippines, The Sun reported.
Meghan Markle has released a statement on the accusations
Getty Images
Police in the Philippines have not confirmed the reports.
Authorities in the UK had previously told the Duchess that allegations made about her father in a 2018 letter sent to Scotland Yard and subsequently shared with her by police were being investigated, it is understood.
In a new statement responding 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.
Thomas Sr has denied possessing child sex images, calling the accusations ‘sick lies’
Good Morning Britain
“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.
The Duchess of Sussex has been estranged from her father since her marriage to Prince Harry
PA
“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 Duchess of Sussex has been estranged from her father since her marriage to Prince Harry, when during the run-up to her wedding where 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 is Thomas Sr. and Doria Ragland’s only child. He had two other children with his first wife, Roslyn Loveless: Thomas Jr., 60, and daughter Samantha, 61.
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. He is reportedly now living in a rehab centre in Florida, where he is learning to walk again.
The Metropolitan Police has been contacted for comment.