Nicolai Haugsted
Meghan Markle’s father faces fresh scrutiny as investigators examine allegations involving minors.
The relationship between Meghan Markle and her father has been a source of public controversy for years, with their family disagreements frequently attracting international headlines.
Since the Duchess of Sussex married Prince Harry in 2018, Thomas Markle Sr. has repeatedly spoken publicly about his estrangement from his daughter and his hopes of reconnecting with her.
His son, Thomas Markle Jr., has often supported him throughout those disputes, including during periods of serious illness.
Now, however, a far more serious allegation has emerged from within the family itself.
According to a report by British newspaper The Sun, Thomas Markle Sr., 82, is under investigation in the Philippines after his own son reported discovering a large collection of suspected child sexual abuse material among his father’s belongings.
The allegations have not been proven in court, and the material described in the report has not yet been independently verified through publicly available forensic findings.
His own son contacted the authorities
Thomas Markle Jr., 60, reportedly made the discovery while searching through belongings his father had left behind at a property in Cebu, Philippines.
The older Markle had been living in the country before returning to the United States following serious medical complications.
According to The Sun, his son initially came across suspicious material on an old mobile phone while looking for a device that could be used by his girlfriend’s father.
The discovery allegedly prompted him to examine other belongings that had been left in storage.
Among the items were several mobile phones, computer hard drives, books, family recordings and memorabilia from his father’s career in television.
Thomas Jr. subsequently told investigators that he had discovered what he believed to be hundreds, potentially thousands, of images depicting child sexual abuse.
He reported the matter to authorities in the Philippines and also contacted organizations and law enforcement agencies in the United States.
Thomas Markle Jr. says he felt betrayed
Speaking to The Sun after submitting a sworn statement to investigators, Thomas Jr. described his reaction to the alleged discovery.
“When I found this material I was horrified and I had no option but to report my dad,” he said.
The accusations have also caused a major rupture between father and son.
“I have supported, cared for him and helped him for years — but that stops now,” Thomas Jr. continued.
“I won’t speak to my father ever again unless I’m called to give evidence against him.”
According to the newspaper, Thomas Jr. had previously helped care for his father after a serious stroke in 2022.
He later described feeling deeply disturbed by what he claimed to have found.
“What I saw made me sick to the stomach — all this stuff was just dumped on me and I didn’t know what to do,” he reportedly told a friend.
“I knew right away it was highly illegal and would land me in jail for a long time if I didn’t get rid of it. I felt betrayed, angry and disgusted — and realised I had to report him.”
His account remains an allegation pending examination of the material by investigators.
Investigators prepare to examine four boxes of evidence
According to The Sun, Thomas Jr. first contacted the FBI, the US-based National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and Pennsylvania state police on July 10.
After reportedly receiving no immediate follow-up, he continued examining the belongings and enlisted the assistance of a local IT technician to access computer storage devices.
The newspaper reports that he subsequently provided a sworn statement to authorities in Cebu.
Investigators associated with the Philippines’ Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking have reportedly assigned a specialist task force to the case.
The inquiry involves the Women and Children’s Protection Centre, which handles investigations concerning offenses against women and children.
Thomas Jr. has also reportedly agreed to surrender four cardboard boxes containing the relevant belongings for forensic examination.
The items are expected to be transferred to authorities in Cebu City, where specialists can assess their contents and determine whether criminal offenses have occurred.
At this stage, the newspaper’s descriptions of the alleged files should not be treated as confirmed forensic conclusions.
The FBI has reportedly been contacted
The investigation may also attract attention from American authorities.
Thomas Markle Sr. is a US citizen and is reportedly staying at a nursing and rehabilitation facility in Florida.
According to The Sun, the FBI has acknowledged receiving information connected to Thomas Jr.’s sworn statement.
A source familiar with the case told the newspaper that an American agent had requested contact information for the investigators in the Philippines.
“Thomas Markle Snr is a US citizen, he is currently living in the US and may be linked to alleged offences committed on US soil,” the source said.
“There is a strong precedent for cases in circumstances like this to be investigated by the FBI.”
However, confirmation that information has been received does not establish that a separate federal criminal investigation has formally begun.
The specialist Philippine police task force declined to comment on the case, according to the report.
Meghan Markle has been estranged from her father for years
The allegations arrive against the backdrop of a family relationship that has been strained for nearly a decade.
Meghan Markle has had little public contact with her father since the period surrounding her wedding to Prince Harry in May 2018.
Thomas Sr. did not attend the ceremony at Windsor Castle after reporting health problems.
He has since repeatedly expressed his desire to reconcile with his daughter, while their disagreements have continued to receive considerable media attention.
The Sun quoted an unnamed source described as close to Meghan, who suggested that the latest allegations might influence public perceptions of the estrangement.
“Now maybe people will finally understand why she has had nothing to do with her father since 2018,” the source said.
That statement does not establish that Meghan previously knew about the allegations or that they played any role in her decision to distance herself from her father.
There is no indication in the supplied report that the Duchess of Sussex has personally commented on the investigation.
