Police in the Philippines have launched an investigation into Thomas Markle Sr, the estranged father of Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, after reports surfaced that child sexual abuse material was found at his former residence in Cebu. The allegations were reported to authorities by his son, Thomas Markle Jr, who claimed to have discovered the material in storage boxes at his father’s home during a visit in July 2024.
In a statement issued on September 6, 2024, the Duchess of Sussex said she was informed of the allegations in 2018 after a letter outlining the claims was sent to the Metropolitan Police’s Royalty and Specialist Protection unit in the UK. She stated that she had been given assurances the matter was being investigated at the time. Meghan emphasized that her decision to distance herself from her father and prevent him from having contact with her children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, was made to protect them.
Thomas Markle Sr has denied the allegations, calling them "sick lies" in an interview with the Daily Mail. His son, Thomas Markle Jr, alleged that the material included a 15-minute video depicting young girls performing sex acts and multiple still images of scantily clad children. According to reports, the images were allegedly found in four large boxes at Markle Sr’s home. Thomas Jr claimed one image showed a laptop in the background of a room he recognized as his father’s former home in Mexico.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) in the Philippines confirmed on September 6, 2024, that an investigation was underway into the reported possession of child sexual abuse material. Authorities in the Philippines are preparing to seize the evidence, while Filipino state media shared the development on social media. The FBI Hotline and the U.S. National Center for Missing & Exploited Children were also reportedly notified of the allegations by Thomas Markle Jr in July 2024.
Meghan’s statement reiterated her distress over the allegations, saying, ‘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.’ She expressed hope that justice would be served and that the focus would remain on protecting children. Meghan’s half-sister, Samantha Markle, disputed the allegations in an interview with the Daily Mail, calling them ‘all lies’ and suggesting her brother, Thomas Jr, fabricated the story for financial gain. She also claimed their father had been framed.
The Metropolitan Police in the UK has not publicly confirmed whether the 2018 allegations were formally investigated. A spokesperson for the force stated that they do not comment on ongoing investigations. The Royal Family has not issued a response to the latest developments.