What the son alleges

Thomas Markle Jr., the Duchess of Sussex's half-brother and 60 years old, says he found hundreds, possibly thousands, of child sexual abuse images while clearing out his father's former home in Cebu, Philippines. Speaking to The Sun, he said the material was stored in four large cardboard boxes and on electronic devices, and that some of it showed girls he judged to be 10 or 11 years old at most. He also said he recognised part of the family's old house in Rosarito, Mexico, in one image. On 10 July, he says, he alerted the FBI, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and Pennsylvania police. Having received no response, he reportedly had three hard drives examined by a local computer specialist. On the evening of 22 October he handed a sworn statement to Philippine police who handle child abuse cases, and they reportedly opened an investigation.

Meghan Markle's response

Meghan Markle said she was distressed by the reports and that her thoughts were with any children who may have been harmed.

“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 a letter sent in 2018 to the Metropolitan Police and Royalty and Specialist Protection was later shared with her. It contained allegations against her father, and she said she was given assurances that they were being investigated.

“It made troubling and disturbing allegations against my father and I was given assurances that these were being investigated.”

Meghan said her distance from her father, and her decision to keep him away from her children, was meant to protect them. She added that she trusted the authorities were doing the same for other families.

Father's denial and family dispute

Thomas Markle Snr, who is 82, denied possessing such images in an interview with the Daily Mail and called the accusations 'sick lies'. Samantha Markle, Meghan's half-sister, has rejected the claims outright. She says her brother invented them for money and that the accusations began when his financial support from their father stopped. She also said the computers were packed up in Mexico and kept in the Philippines for two years, so their father had no access to them, and she suggested someone may have tampered with the material, though no evidence has been provided. Thomas Markle Snr had a serious stroke in 2022, returned to the United States in May and now lives in a rehabilitation centre in Florida.

Investigation status and the rift

No charges have been announced against Thomas Markle, and Philippine authorities have not officially confirmed the allegations. Reports say the FBI confirmed receiving the sworn statement, although that does not necessarily mean it has opened a formal case. No forensic results have been made public.

Meghan has been estranged from her father since 2018, when he shared information with British tabloids as she prepared to marry Prince Harry. Thomas Markle Jr. says he supported, cared for and helped their father for years, and that this has now ended. He says he will not speak to his father again unless he is called to testify against him.