The Duchess of Sussex has said she is "deeply distressed" after reports that her estranged father, Thomas Markle Sr., 82, is under investigation in the Philippines over alleged child sex abuse material — and on Friday the Philippine Department of Justice confirmed to CNN that the matter is "under investigation" by its child abuse unit.
Every claim below is reported, not proven. Thomas Markle Sr. has denied the allegations, and no charges or arrests have been reported as of publication.
What is being alleged
The reports began late Thursday with Britain's The Sun, which said Markle's son, Thomas Markle Jr., 60, had reported his father to authorities in the Philippines. Thomas Jr. alleges he uncovered "hundreds, if not thousands" of alleged child sex abuse images in storage boxes and computer hard drives at his father's home in Cebu province, according to The Sun's reporting, carried by CNN, USA Today and The Times.
"When I found this material I was horrified and I had no option but to report my dad," Thomas Jr. told The Sun, adding that he "won't speak to my father ever again unless I'm called to give evidence against him."
The Philippine Department of Justice confirmed Friday it is investigating an "octogenarian American national," and a department official confirmed to Philippine state media that the subject is Thomas Markle Sr., with the anti-trafficking task force handling the case. CNN separately confirmed with the department's child abuse unit that the matter is "under investigation."
Meghan's statement
In a written statement sent to CBS News on Friday, Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, said: "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 also revealed that in 2018 a letter was sent to London's Metropolitan Police and Royalty and Specialist Protection making "troubling and disturbing allegations" against her father, and that she was given assurances those were being investigated. She added that her distance from her father — and her decision not to let him have contact with her children — "was for one reason: to protect them."
"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," she said.
The father's denial
Thomas Markle Sr. denied the allegations to the Daily Mail on Friday, calling them "sick lies" and insisting: "I have never downloaded anything like that in my life." His other daughter, Samantha Markle, also told the Mail the claims were untrue. He said the computers had not been in his possession since he left Mexico with his son in 2025.
What happens next
Investigators must first verify the authenticity and origin of any material, and establish jurisdiction for any prosecution, before charges could follow — a process that could take weeks or months. The Philippine DOJ has not given a timeline. For now, the case remains an investigation of reported allegations, with Thomas Markle Sr. presumed innocent unless charged and proven otherwise.
Watch: 7NEWS Australia's report, Thomas Markle investigated over child abuse material claims — covering the Philippines allegation and the son's report.
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