Meghan Markle says she learned of allegations against her father in 2018, years before the latest claims involving suspected child sexual abuse material became public.
The Duchess of Sussex issued a statement on Friday, October 23, after her half-brother, Thomas Markle Jr., said he discovered the material among belongings at their father’s former home in Cebu, Philippines.
Thomas Markle Sr., 82, has denied possessing the material. In an interview with the Daily Mail, he called the accusations “sick lies,” according to Sky News.
Meghan said her decision to maintain distance and prevent contact with her children was intended “to protect them.” She and Prince Harry have two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
Meghan Says She Received Assurances About the 2018 Allegations
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According to Meghan’s statement, a letter was sent to the Metropolitan Police and Royalty and Specialist Protection before being shared with her. She described its contents as troubling and disturbing, but did not identify its author.
“I was given assurances that these were being investigated,” she said in the statement published by the Associated Press.
ITV News reported that Meghan saw the letter after her May wedding. The public breakdown in the father-daughter relationship had already begun before the ceremony, following revelations that Thomas Sr. had cooperated in staged paparazzi photographs. He ultimately did not attend the wedding at Windsor Castle.
Meghan did not release the letter or specify the allegations it contained. Her statement did not establish whether those concerns involved the material her brother now says he found.
She also accused certain publications of distorting the reasons for the family estrangement and said she had trusted authorities to protect other families. Describing herself as deeply distressed by the latest reports, she expressed sympathy for any children who may have been harmed and called for justice.
Her Brother Says He Contacted U.S. Authorities in July
In its October 22 report, The Sun said Thomas Jr. contacted the FBI hotline, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children and Pennsylvania state police on July 10.
He said he subsequently checked computer drives with an IT technician before submitting a sworn statement to Philippine police this week.
Thomas Sr. is now receiving medical care in Florida after returning from the Philippines. He said the computers had been outside his possession since January 2025, according to The Guardian.
Thomas Jr. had previously helped care for his father during serious health problems. He told The Sun he would no longer maintain their relationship, saying any future contact would be limited to giving evidence against him.
Philippine Authorities Confirm an Investigation
Philippine Justice Undersecretary Nicholas Ty told the Philippine News Agency on October 23 that the department’s task force dealing with trafficking and online sexual abuse and exploitation of children was investigating. His quoted response did not announce charges.
Reuters sought responses from British police and the FBI; neither had immediately replied when its report was published.
Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla separately told the BBC, in a report republished by AOL, that national police had secured a computer belonging to Thomas Sr. for forensic examination. He said results were expected in a week.