Meghan Markle 'deeply distressed' as Philippine authorities confirm investigation into father Thomas Markle

The Duchess of Sussex has said she is “deeply distressed” over allegations that her estranged father, Thomas Markle Sr, possessed child sexual abuse images, as Philippine authorities confirmed they are investigating the matter.

Philippine justice undersecretary Nicholas Ty told Reuters on Friday that the Anti-Trafficking and Anti-OSAEC task force in Cebu “is currently investigating the matter” (Reuters). The allegations were first reported by The Sun: her half-brother Thomas Markle Jr reported his father to police in Cebu after finding alleged child sexual abuse images at his father’s house.

Meghan said in a statement shared with People that she had known of “troubling and disturbing allegations” against her father since 2018, when a letter sent to the Metropolitan Police and Royalty and Specialist Protection was shared with her and she was told they were being investigated (People). The Met said it was making internal enquiries to confirm the claim and had not, and was not currently, investigating a man in his 80s living outside the UK.

Meghan said keeping her children — Archie, 7, and Lilibet, 5 — away from her 82-year-old father was “for one reason: to protect them.”

Thomas Markle Sr has denied the allegations, telling the Daily Mail they were “sick lies” and that he was “shocked” and “hurt” his son was accusing him (Indian Express).