Police in the Philippines and the FBI are investigating Thomas Markle Sr., father of the Duchess of Sussex, over allegations he possessed a large stash of child sexual abuse images and videos. The investigation follows a report by Markle’s son, Thomas Markle Jr., who claimed to have found the material at his father’s former home in Cebu. Authorities in the Philippines confirmed the probe last week, with Philippine Interior Minister Joniv Remulla describing Markle as a ‘possible sex offender of the grossest kind.’
Metropolitan Police criticized for inaction in 2019
A former senior UK police officer, Jim Gamble, former head of the National Crime Agency’s child exploitation command, has criticized the Metropolitan Police (Met) for failing to alert the FBI in 2019 after receiving a letter alleging child abuse against Thomas Markle. Gamble stated there is a ‘well-worn path’ for UK police to share serious allegations with foreign agencies when children may be at risk. The Met admitted it did not act on the 2019 letter, which accused Markle of being a paedophile, despite assessing it as credible enough to inform the Duchess of Sussex herself.
Meghan Markle’s response and family estrangement
The Duchess of Sussex has said she was ‘deeply distressed’ upon learning of the investigation into her father, confirming she first became aware of the allegations in 2018 when the Met shared a letter with her outlining the claims. Meghan and her husband, Prince Harry, subsequently cut off contact with Thomas Markle, and she wrote to him in December 2025 while he was hospitalized in the Philippines, stating she and authorities ‘knew he had abused young girls.’ In the letter, she also said he would never meet their children, Archie and Lilibet. Markle has denied the allegations, calling them ‘sick lies,’ and has admitted to paying for sex in the Philippines but denies possessing child abuse material.
Ongoing investigation and Markle’s denial
The Philippine investigation centers on images allegedly found by Thomas Markle Jr. in storage boxes at his father’s former home. Markle Jr. told police he discovered ‘hundreds, if not thousands’ of images and reported the matter to local authorities and the FBI. Philippine officials have not detailed the content of the images but have described Markle as a ‘possible sex offender of the grossest kind.’ Markle Sr. has repeatedly denied wrongdoing, stating he has ‘never downloaded anything like that in my life.’
Timeline of key events
- 2018: Metropolitan Police receive a letter alleging child abuse against Thomas Markle and share it with the Duchess of Sussex.
- 2019: Met Police do not alert the FBI despite assessing the claims as credible.
- 2025: Thomas Markle Jr. reports finding child abuse images at his father’s home; Philippine police and FBI launch investigations.
- December 2025: Meghan Markle writes to her father, stating she and authorities ‘knew he had abused young girls,’ and cuts off contact.
- June 2025: Philippine Interior Minister Joniv Remulla describes Markle as a ‘possible sex offender of the grossest kind.’
Reactions and implications
Former police chief Jim Gamble has questioned why the Met prioritized informing the Duchess of Sussex over sharing the allegations with the FBI, emphasizing the need to safeguard children. The case has drawn significant public attention, with Buckingham Palace monitoring the fallout amid ongoing royal engagements. The investigation’s outcome may have legal and personal repercussions for Thomas Markle, while also shaping public perception of the Duchess of Sussex’s past decisions regarding her father.