Key Takeaways
- Meghan Markle said she kept Thomas Markle Sr. away from her children to protect them after receiving “troubling and disturbing allegations” about him in 2018.
- She said British authorities assured her they were investigating the claims and expressed hope that justice would prioritize the safety of children.
- Her statement follows reports that half-brother Thomas Markle Jr. alerted Philippine and U.S. authorities after allegedly finding child sexual abuse material among their father’s belongings.
Meghan Markle says she was made aware of disturbing allegations involving her father, Thomas Markle Sr., eight years before reports emerged that he was being investigated over alleged child sexual abuse material.
In a statement obtained by People on Friday, Oct. 23, the Duchess of Sussex addressed the allegations against her estranged father and explained why she has kept him away from her children.
"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," Meghan said.
She then revealed that concerns about her father had reportedly been raised with British authorities years earlier.
"In 2018, a letter was sent to the Metropolitan Police and Royalty and Specialist Protection," she said. "That letter was subsequently shared with me. It made troubling and disturbing allegations against my father, and I was given assurances that these were being investigated."
Meghan did not disclose who sent the letter or provide details about the allegations it contained. Authorities have not publicly confirmed the circumstances surrounding the letter.
The statement offers new context for a family estrangement that has played out publicly since Meghan married Prince Harry in 2018.
"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," she said.
According to People, Thomas Jr. claimed he found hundreds, potentially thousands, of images and videos while examining possessions connected to his father's home in Cebu, Philippines.
He reportedly contacted authorities in the Philippines and the United States, including the FBI.
"When I found this material, I was horrified, and I had no option but to report my dad," Thomas Jr. said in remarks cited by People.
Philippine Justice Undersecretary Nicholas Ty confirmed to Reuters on Friday that a task force in Cebu is investigating the allegations. The FBI also reportedly received Thomas Jr.'s affidavit.
Thomas Markle Sr. has denied the allegations, calling them “sick lies” in comments to the Daily Mail, as reported by The Guardian. No criminal charges have been publicly announced, and the allegations have not been established in court.
Meghan's relationship with her father deteriorated ahead of her royal wedding after he participated in staged paparazzi photographs. He subsequently withdrew from the ceremony and has repeatedly discussed their estrangement in interviews.
Although Meghan reportedly attempted to contact him following a medical emergency last year, the two have remained estranged.
Her latest statement makes clear that her concerns extend beyond their personal relationship.
"I trusted that the authorities were doing the same for other families," she said, referring to protecting children. "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."
If you suspect child sexual exploitation or human trafficking, confidential help is available. Report suspected child sexual abuse material to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children's CyberTipline at CyberTipline.org or 1-800-843-5678. For suspected human trafficking, contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or text 233733.
