Meghan Markle stated that she kept her children, Archie and Lilibet, away from her father, Thomas Markle Sr., to protect them from "troubling and disturbing allegations" against him. The Duchess of Sussex issued a statement to Fox News Digital on Friday in response to reports that Thomas Sr. was accused of possessing child sexual abuse material by his son, Thomas Markle Jr.
According to a report by The Sun, Thomas Jr. claimed he found the material in his father's home in Cebu, Philippines. The half-brother said he reported the findings to police and the FBI. In her statement, Meghan said a letter containing these allegations was sent to the Metropolitan Police and Royalty and Specialist Protection in 2018 and subsequently shared with her. She noted that she was given assurances at the time that the matter was being investigated.
Markle explained that the separation from her father and the decision to block contact with the children were driven solely by a desire to shield them, despite what she described as distorted media coverage over the years. She added that she trusted authorities were acting to protect other families as well.
The Metropolitan Police told The Independent that it is not currently investigating Thomas Markle Sr. However, the force is conducting internal inquiries into how the 2018 letter was handled. Thomas Sr., 82, has never met his grandchildren. Meghan shares the children with Prince Harry.
The FBI National Press Office confirmed in a statement to Fox News Digital that the bureau is aware of the allegations. The agency said it will provide support to Philippine authorities as appropriate and will investigate any related federal violations of U.S. law. Nicholas Ty, the Philippine Justice Undersecretary, confirmed on Friday that a task force investigating human trafficking and online child sexual abuse in Cebu is looking into the matter.
Thomas Sr. denied the accusations in an interview with the Daily Mail. He described the claims as "a bunch of lies" and said he was shocked and hurt by his son's accusations. Thomas Jr. told The Sun that he found suspected material in four large boxes, describing it as "hundreds, if not thousands" of images. He also said he found videos of young girls no older than 10 or 11 engaging in sexual acts and four images of nude girls, one of which he said appeared to be from Thomas Sr.'s former home in Rosarito, Mexico.
Thomas Jr., who has been caring for his father since a stroke in 2022, said he reported the material to the FBI hotline and the Pennsylvania State Police. The Sun reported that the FBI confirmed receipt of the allegations and is set to launch its own probe. Thomas Jr. stated that he would not speak to his father again unless called to give evidence.