Philippine authorities confirm 'investigation' into Thomas Markle allegations

Dorothy Reddin Sat, October 24, 2026 at 7:56 AM UTC

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| Source: THOMAS MARKLE SR

Philippine authorities have confirmed they are looking into claims that Thomas Markle Sr., father of the Duchess of Sussex, possessed a collection of child sexual abuse imagery.

The investigation began after Meghan's half-brother, Thomas Markle Jr., reported finding the alleged material at their father's former residence in the Philippines, according to The Sun.

Thomas Jr told police he found the pictures and videos mixed in with family mementoes. He is also said to have approached FBI investigators in the United States in July.

Nicholas Ty, undersecretary for the Philippine Department of Justice, told ITV News: "Our Anti-Trafficking and Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children taskforce in Cebu is currently investigating the matter."

The former TV lighting director has strenuously denied the allegations.

The Duchess of Sussex claimed on Friday that she had been informed of "disturbing allegations" concerning her father as far back as 2018.

In a statement first reported by The Sun and issued to GB News, she said: "In 2018, a letter was sent to the Metropolitan Police and Royalty and Specialist Protection. That letter was subsequently shared with me."

It is understood Meghan was shown this letter in the summer of 2018, after she married Prince Harry.

Thomas Markle Jr | Source: GETTY

She added: "It made troubling and disturbing allegations against my father and I was given assurances that these were being investigated."

Meghan said she hoped people could now appreciate that her decision to keep her father at a distance and prevent him from seeing her children was motivated solely by a desire to protect them. She expressed her hope that "justice will be fully served" and that the safety of children would remain the priority.

The Metropolitan Police confirmed it is conducting internal inquiries into whether officers from its Royalty and Specialist Protection Command were involved in passing on the 2018 letter.

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A spokesman for the force said: "We are aware of media reports that officers from the Met's Royalty and Specialist Protection Command were involved in the passing on of a letter in 2018. We are undertaking inquiries internally in an effort to confirm this."

| Source: GETTY

However, it is understood that the Met has neither previously nor currently been conducting an investigation into Mr Markle Sr. himself.

It remains unclear whether the claims in the 2018 correspondence are connected to the accusations Thomas Markle Jr brought forward in 2026. The precise nature of the allegations made eight years ago has also not been disclosed.

In an interview with the Daily Mail, Thomas Markle Sr rejected the accusations outright: "I'm shocked, I'm hurt and I'm very upset that my son is making these accusations against me. I could never do what I'm being accused of. It's the worst thing anyone could accuse me of." He branded the claims "bulls***" and "a bunch of lies."

He added: "I have no idea why Tom is trying to destroy me with these lies."

The FBI confirmed it is monitoring the situation. In a statement, the bureau said: "The FBI is aware of the allegations and will provide support, as appropriate, to the Philippine authorities." It added that it would also look into "any related allegations of federal violations of US law."

Meanwhile, Samantha Markle, Thomas Sr's eldest daughter and Meghan's half-sister, has rallied behind her father. She accused Thomas Jr. of fabricating the claims for financial gain, describing his allegations as "making up lies" to earn money.

Samantha and Thomas Jr. are both children from Mr Markle Sr.'s first marriage, before he married Meghan's mother, Doria Ragland. The Markle family has been publicly fractured for years, with various members giving competing media interviews since Meghan's relationship with Prince Harry became public.

Meghan's relationship with her father broke down ahead of her May 2018 wedding to Prince Harry, after it emerged he had staged photographs with paparazzi. He did not attend the ceremony, and then-Prince Charles walked the bride down the aisle. Ms Ragland was the sole member of her family present.

In 2025, Mr Markle Sr. relocated to the Philippines following a series of strokes. That December, he underwent life-saving surgery in which his leg was amputated.

He is now understood to be at a rehabilitation facility in Florida, relearning to walk.

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