A U.S. magistrate judge has ordered a psychiatric evaluation for Thomas Markle, the 82-year-old father of Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, following his arrest on a federal child pornography charge. During an initial court appearance in Tampa, Florida, on Friday, Judge Lindsay Griffin observed a "lack of recall" from the defendant that raised questions regarding his mental fitness to proceed with the case.
The order follows investigations involving authorities in the United States, Mexico, and the Philippines. Markle, who had been living in Cebu in the Philippines before returning to a retirement home in Lakeland, Florida, this year, was taken into custody by FBI agents on Friday. He is charged with one count of possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
The Justice Department alleged that Markle kept explicit images, including photographs of himself with prepubescent girls, in two Los Angeles-area storage units he had rented since 2008. Authorities also reported finding child pornography in a storage unit in Rosarito, Mexico, and at his former residence in the Philippines. Markle has previously denied similar accusations, describing them as "sick lies" to the Daily Mail. Following his appearance, the judge released him on personal recognizance with requirements for home detention and electronic monitoring.
The judge found "reasonable cause to believe" that Markle was suffering from a condition rendering him mentally incompetent to understand the proceedings or assist in his defense. If the case proceeds and results in a conviction, Markle faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison.
The evaluation will delay the entry of a plea or the commencement of a trial until his mental state is adjudicated. The forensic report will determine whether he can legally assist his public defender, Mary Claire Wolf, or if he must undergo treatment to restore competency.
Dr. Amie Gerodimos, the appointed forensic psychiatrist, must conduct the independent examination and submit a diagnostic report to the court by November 20, 2026. Until a determination is made, criminal proceedings remain paused. Markle is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.