Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, issued a statement on Friday, Oct. 23, 2026, saying she was informed by police in 2018 of "disturbing allegations" regarding her estranged father, Thomas Markle Sr. The Duchess said she received a letter outlining the claims after her wedding to Prince Harry and was assured at the time that authorities were investigating. Her comments follow recent media reports that images of child sexual abuse were allegedly discovered at her father's former residence in the Philippines.
Thomas Markle Sr., 82, has denied the allegations, describing them as "sick lies" and "disgusting" in statements to the Daily Mail. The investigation was initiated after Thomas Markle Jr. reported to police that he had found "hundreds, if not thousands" of images in boxes at his father's home. The Philippines' Department of Justice confirmed that a task force is investigating, and the Interior Minister stated that national police have secured a computer for digital forensic examination, a process expected to take one week.
The Metropolitan Police in London are conducting an internal inquiry to confirm if their royal protection unit shared the 2018 letter with the Duchess, though they are not currently investigating Thomas Markle Sr. Sources close to the Sussexes stated that Meghan did not speak publicly about the allegations in 2018 to avoid jeopardizing investigations or facing legal action. The Duchess said she has maintained distance from her father and restricted his contact with her children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, for their protection.
This development involves the Duchess of Sussex, her two children, and Thomas Markle Sr., who is currently residing in a Florida rehabilitation center following a leg amputation in December 2025. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who returned to the U.K. in August 2026 after six years in the United States, have denied through a spokesperson that this investigation influenced their decision to move.
The next steps in the legal process depend on forensic results in the Philippines, which the Interior Minister said would take one week to obtain. Thomas Markle Sr. has stated he would welcome an investigation to prove his innocence.