Court in Cebu Approves Warrant for Police to Examine Material From Thomas Markle's Former Home

A court in the Philippine city of Cebu has approved a warrant allowing police to examine material taken from the former home of Thomas Markle, the father of the Duchess of Sussex. The material is alleged to contain images showing the sexual abuse of children. Markle has strongly denied possessing any child abuse material.

Philippine authorities said on 23 October 2026 that they were investigating Markle over allegations that he possessed child sexual abuse images, as Reuters reported. Two days later, Interior Minister Jonvic Remulla said national police had secured Markle's computer, according to BBC News. VHS tapes and computers have since been handed to police as the investigation proceeds, according to BBC News video. The BBC's Jonathan Head reported from outside the house in Cebu.

Markle's son had been living with him in Cebu. He told police he found the material in the house where his father lived before Markle returned to the United States earlier this year, according to the same BBC video report.

The allegations have also reached London. The Metropolitan Police confirmed that it had received a letter in 2019 raising a number of claims relating to Markle. The force said those claims had not been sent on to other law enforcement agencies, AFP reported.

Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, has been estranged from her father since 2018. She confirmed she had previously been informed about "disturbing allegations" concerning him, according to BBC News.

Markle's denial of possessing any child abuse material is the only response from him reported so far, and the court-approved examination of the seized items is the next step in the process.