Markle Addresses 'Disturbing Allegations' Against Her Father

Meghan Markle is "deeply distressed," but apparently not overly surprised, by allegations that her estranged father had a stash of child sexual abuse material at his home in the Philippines. In a statement, the Duchess of Sussex said she first learned in 2018 of "troubling and disturbing allegations" against Thomas Markle Sr. via a letter shared with her by UK protection officers, and was assured that authorities were investigating, the Telegraph reports.

• Thomas Markle Jr., Meghan's half-brother, told the Sun on Thursday that he discovered "hundreds, if not thousands" of child sex abuse images in boxes at his 82-year-old father's Cebu home.
• He said he reported the finding to American authorities including the FBI in July, and has also spoken to local police. He said that when a technician helped him access a hard drive, he discovered that his father's "desktop was full of row upon row of thumbnail pictures linking to the most sickening child abuse imaginable. The worst of the worst."

"I hope it can now be understood that, despite certain media publications' distortion over the years, any distance from my father and my choice to not allow him to have contact with our children, was for one reason: to protect them," Meghan Markle said. "I trusted that authorities were doing the same for other familes." She added: "Although the breadth of what has now been uncovered is more sickening than one could ever imagine, my sincerest hope is that justice will be fully served and that the priority remains the safety and protection of innocent children."

Thomas Markle Sr. returned to the US earlier this year following a stroke and blood clot that led to a leg amputation. His son, his carer since an earlier stroke in 2022, told the Sun that he felt "betrayed, angry, and disgusted" after making the horrifying find. "I won't speak to my father ever again unless I'm called to give evidence against him," he said. Samantha Markle, Markle Sr.'s other child from his first marriage, rejected the allegations, accusing her brother of seeking money and "revenge," Page Six reports.