Duchess of Sussex reveals 2018 Met letter warned her of father's abuse claims

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, stated on Wednesday that she is deeply distressed by allegations her estranged father, Thomas Markle Sr, possessed child sexual abuse images. The duchess released the statement through a spokesperson following reports that her half-brother, Thomas Markle Jr, identified a large collection of such images on devices stored in the Philippines.

Markle disclosed that she received a letter in 2018 from the Metropolitan Police and its Royalty and Specialist Protection unit, known as Rasp. The document contained what she described as disturbing allegations against her father. She said the police assured her that an investigation was underway. According to sources, the letter was shared with her shortly after her wedding. The Met has not previously investigated Markle Sr and is not currently doing so, though it is conducting internal inquiries to confirm if Rasp officers were involved in passing the letter.

The duchess explained that her decision to limit contact with her father and exclude him from the lives of her children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, was intended to protect them. She noted that she could not speak publicly in 2018 because doing so might have jeopardized potential investigations or exposed her to legal action. "I trusted that the authorities were doing the same for other families," she said.

Thomas Markle Jr, 60, told detectives in the Philippines that he found hundreds or thousands of images on computers and mobile phones. He stated these items were kept in four large boxes at the family home in Cebu. Markle Sr lived in the Philippines until returning to the United States in May following a stroke. Markle Jr also contacted the FBI, which said it will support Philippine authorities and investigate any federal violations of US law.

Philippine officials confirmed the matter is under active investigation. Nicholas Ty, an undersecretary at the justice department, told the BBC that a human trafficking and child sexual exploitation taskforce in Cebu is handling the case. Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla stated that national police secured Markle Sr's computer for a full digital forensic examination. He estimated the process would take one week to yield results.

Thomas Markle Sr, who is currently in a rehabilitation center in Florida, denied the claims. He is learning to walk with a prosthetic limb after his left leg was amputated due to a blood clot. Markle Sr told the Daily Mail he was shocked and hurt by the accusations. He said the computers had not been in his possession since he left Rosarito, Mexico, with his son in January 2025 to move to the Philippines. He described the accusations as sick lies.

Meghan’s half-sister, Samantha Markle, defended their father. She accused Markle Jr of fabricating lies for financial gain, noting the claims emerged days after their father cut off his funding. She argued that the computers were out of their father's possession for two years, creating ample opportunity for tampering. Markle Sr has been estranged from the duchess since missing her wedding to Prince Harry on health grounds. He has never met his grandchildren.