Meghan Markle details 2018 warning to police as Philippines probes father

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, stated on Friday that she first learned of allegations against her father in 2018. She sent a statement to CBS News describing herself as deeply distressed by reports that Thomas Markle is under investigation in the Philippines.

The Philippine News Agency confirmed via Facebook that the Department of Justice is examining the case. A state official told the agency that the department's anti-trafficking task force is handling the matter. The official identified the subject as Thomas Markle Sr., an octogenarian American national.

The inquiry focuses on reports that Markle left child abuse videos and photos in his home in Cebu province. The Sun reported on Thursday that his son, Thomas Markle Jr., alerted Philippine authorities to the materials. The younger man reportedly found digital files in storage boxes at the family home.

Markle Jr. allegedly discovered the files while his father was in the United States receiving treatment for a stroke and blood clot. He said he saw some of the materials after turning on an old cell phone. According to the Daily Mail, he reported the findings to an FBI hotline, the National Center for Exploited and Missing Children, and Pennsylvania state police in July.

Meghan’s statement details the timeline of her awareness. She said a letter containing troubling and disturbing allegations was sent to the Metropolitan Police and its Royalty and Specialist Protection unit in 2018. She claimed the letter was later shared with her and that she received assurances the matter was being investigated. A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said the force is conducting internal enquiries to confirm that officers from its Royalty and Specialist Protection Command helped pass on the letter in 2018. The Met is not currently investigating Markle.

The Duchess also addressed her estrangement from her father. She said she chose to limit his contact with their children to protect them. She stated that this decision was made for one reason, despite what she called distortions in certain media publications over the years.

Thomas Markle denied the allegations in a report by the Daily Mail on Friday. He said he has never downloaded such materials in his life and dismissed the claims as sick lies. Meghan expressed her hope that justice will be fully served and that the priority remains the safety and protection of innocent children.