25.10.2026 01:30
An investigation has been launched into Thomas Markle, the 82-year-old father of Meghan Markle, daughter-in-law of King Charles III of the UK, over allegations that he possessed images related to child sexual abuse. It was stated that the source of the allegations that emerged in the Philippines was Markle's biological son, while the FBI also got involved. Meghan Markle said she became aware of the allegations against her father 8 years ago and did not meet with him to protect her children. Thomas Markle denied the allegations.
The allegations raised about Thomas Markle, the father of Meghan Markle, daughter-in-law of King Charles III of the United Kingdom, have been brought to the agenda of authorities in the Philippines, the US, and the UK. According to reports in the British press, it was claimed that footage related to child sexual abuse was found in the house where 82-year-old Markle previously lived in the Philippines. The accuracy of the allegations has not yet been established independently and definitively.
IT WAS HIS SON WHO TURNED HIM IN; AN INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN LAUNCHED IN THE PHILIPPINES
According to The Sun newspaper, the person who claims to have found the footage was Thomas Markle Jr., Thomas Markle’s son and Meghan’s half-brother.
Philippine Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla confirmed that Markle’s son handed over some materials, including a laptop, to the police. However, it was stated that the contents of these materials and their connection to the allegations are still being examined by the competent authorities.
Philippine Deputy Justice Minister Nicholas Ty announced that the unit investigating online sexual abuse of children in Cebu is conducting an examination of the incident. Authorities have not shared a definitive assessment regarding the outcome of the investigation at this stage.
THE FBI HAS ALSO STEPPED IN
Following the allegations, the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) also made a statement. The FBI announced that it will provide the necessary support to the Philippine authorities and will examine related allegations that US federal laws may have been violated.
MEGHAN SAID, “I HAD KNOWN FOR 8 YEARS”
Meghan Markle, stating that she was saddened by the allegations about her father, said that she had been aware of similar accusations years ago.
In a letter that Meghan said was sent to the London Metropolitan Police in 2018, she stated that it contained serious accusations against her father and that she had been assured they would be investigated.
Meghan Markle’s lines on this matter are as follows: “I hope it can now be understood why, despite some media outlets’ years-long efforts to distort the issue, I distanced myself from my father and did not allow him to see my children. There was only one reason for this: to protect my children.”
POLICE CONFIRMED THE 2019 APPLICATION
The London Metropolitan Police confirmed that in January 2019 it received a letter regarding crimes alleged to have been committed outside the UK concerning Thomas Markle.
The police stated that the allegations in the letter were not shared with other law enforcement agencies and announced that it was reassessing the procedures carried out at that time. The institution also reported that it was considering whether to take the matter to the independent police oversight body.
The discrepancy between the 2018 date mentioned by Meghan and the January 2019 date in police records also came to the agenda. Meghan’s representative accepted that the date in the official police records could be taken as the basis. However, what this date discrepancy means for the substance of the investigation has not been clarified.
THOMAS MARKLE DENIED THE ALLEGATIONS
Thomas Markle, who evaluated the allegations about him by speaking to the Daily Mail newspaper, rejected the accusations and argued that they were untrue.
The developments have brought the long-running dispute between Meghan Markle and her father back to the agenda, while the legal dimension of the incident is expected to become clear following the competent authorities’ investigations and a possible judicial process.