Meghan 'Deeply Distressed' Over Accusations Against Estranged Father

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, has said she is "deeply distressed" by accusations involving child sexual abuse images against her estranged father, Thomas Markle Sr. The Guardian reported her statement on 23 October 2026. It followed claims published by The Sun that her half-brother, Thomas Markle Jr, had made a discovery at their father's former home.

According to The Sun, Markle Jr, 60, told detectives in the Philippines that he had found "hundreds, if not thousands" of child sexual abuse images on computers and mobile phones. He said the devices were stored in four large boxes at a home in Cebu, where his father lived until returning to the United States in May after a stroke. Markle Jr also said he had contacted the FBI, the US federal police agency.

Markle Sr has denied possessing such images. In an interview with the Daily Mail, he called the accusations "sick lies." He said the computers had not been in his possession since he left Rosarito, Mexico, with his son in January 2025 and moved to the Philippines. The Sun also reported that Markle Sr is being investigated over a large stash of child sex images after being reported to police.

Meghan's statement set out what she said she had known about her father for years. She said she was made aware of "disturbing allegations" against him by the Metropolitan Police in 2018. A letter sent that year to the Metropolitan Police and to the Royalty and Specialist Protection unit, which was later shared with her, made troubling allegations against her father. She said she was given assurances at the time that the claims were being investigated.

Meghan also said that her distance from her father, and her choice not to allow him contact with her children, was intended to protect them. Markle Sr has been estranged from his daughter since he did not attend her wedding to Prince Harry, citing health grounds. Reuters reported in December 2025 that she had tried to contact him after reports that he had a leg amputated, and a spokesperson later said she had managed to send him a letter while he was in hospital.

Markle Jr has vowed never to speak to his father again, according to The Sun. He said he would speak to him only to give evidence.