Meghan says she was informed of ‘disturbing allegations’ against estranged father

By Aysu Bicer

LONDON (AA) - Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, expressed deep distress Friday following news that her half-brother discovered a stash of child sexual abuse material at their father's former home, triggering an active international investigation.

In a statment, Meghan revealed she was informed of “disturbing allegations” against her estranged father, Thomas Markle, in 2018, after a letter outlining the claims was sent to the Metropolitan Police.

Meghan said the letter was subsequently shared with her by UK authorities and she was given assurance that the claims were being investigated.

Her comments followed reports that images of child sexual abuse allegedly belonging to her father had been found at his former home in the Philippines.

“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 said.

Meghan added that she hoped the circumstances would explain why she had maintained her distance from her father and why she did "not allow him to have contact with our children."

“This was to protect them,” she said, expressing hope that “justice will be fully served and that the priority remains the safety and protection of innocent children.”

Thomas Markle denied possessing child sexual abuse images in an interview with the Daily Mail, describing the accusations as “sick lies.”

The allegations were first reported by The Sun. Meghan’s half-brother, Thomas Markle Jr., told the newspaper that he had found the images at their father’s home in the Philippines and reported them to police.

Nicholas Ty, undersecretary at the Philippines Department of Justice, told the country’s state news agency that authorities were “currently investigating the matter.”

Meghan’s relationship with her father deteriorated in the run-up to her 2018 wedding to Prince Harry, after he was found to have colluded with photographers to stage photos ahead of the ceremony.

Thomas Markle later moved to the Philippines in 2025 following a series of strokes. He is reportedly now in a rehabilitation center in Florida after undergoing surgery that resulted in the amputation of one of his legs in December 2025.

Aysu Biçer