Duchess details 2018 warning on father's case
Meghan Markle disclosed that police shared a letter detailing abuse claims against Thomas Markle Sr in 2018, as Filipino officials finalize a one-week digital probe of his seized computer.
By Natalia Costa ·
A Cebu taskforce will deliver forensic results on a computer seized from Thomas Markle Sr's home within seven days, according to Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla. This deadline coincides with new revelations from the Duchess of Sussex regarding a 2018 police notification about her father.
Meghan Markle stated in a statement that she is deeply distressed by allegations that her estranged father possessed child sexual abuse images. She disclosed that the Metropolitan Police shared a letter with her in 2018 that contained disturbing allegations against Markle Sr. The letter was sent to the Met's Royalty and Specialist Protection unit, known as Rasp, and later passed to Meghan shortly after her wedding.
The duchess said she was assured in 2018 that the authorities were investigating the claims. She explained that her decision to distance herself from her father and restrict his contact with her children aimed to protect them. "I trusted that the authorities were doing the same for other families," she said. She added that she hopes justice will be fully served and that children's safety remains the priority.
Sources indicated that Meghan did not speak publicly about the matter in 2018 to avoid jeopardizing potential investigations or facing legal action. The Met has confirmed it is making internal inquiries to verify whether Rasp officers were involved in sharing the letter. The force has not previously investigated Markle Sr and is not currently conducting an investigation.
The allegations originated after Markle Sr's half-brother, Thomas Markle Jr, told Philippine detectives he found hundreds or thousands of images on computers and mobile phones. Markle Jr said the devices were stored in four large boxes at the Markle Sr's former home in Cebu. Markle Jr also contacted the FBI, which stated it will support Philippine authorities and investigate any federal violations of US law.
Nicholas Ty, an undersecretary at the Philippine justice department, confirmed that a human trafficking and child sexual exploitation taskforce in Cebu is handling the case. Remulla said national police secured Markle Sr's computer for a full digital forensic examination. He estimated the process would take one week to complete.
Markle Sr denied the claims in an interview with the Daily Mail, calling them sick lies. He is currently in a rehabilitation center in Florida, where he is learning to walk with a prosthetic limb after a left leg amputation caused by a blood clot. He said he was shocked and hurt by the accusations, noting he could never do what he is accused of.
Markle Sr stated the computers were not in his possession since he left Rosarito, Mexico, in January 2025 to move to the Philippines for a fresh start. He lived in Cebu until returning to the US in May following a stroke. His half-sister, Samantha Markle, defended him and accused Markle Jr of making up lies to make money. She alleged the claims emerged days after Markle Sr cut off his funds and noted the computers were out of his possession for two years, leaving room for tampering.
Markle Sr has been estranged from Meghan since he missed her wedding to Prince Harry on health grounds. He has never met his grandchildren, Prince Archie, who is seven, and Princess Lilibet, who is five.
