TRIGGER WARNING: This article discusses child sexual abuse. Reader discretion is advised.
Meghan Markle’s estranged father, Thomas Markle Senior, is currently under investigation by Philippine police after hundreds of child sexual abuse images were allegedly found at his property.
His son, Thomas Markle Junior reportedly handed over four boxes of material including computers, phone, hard drives and old video tapes, to police in late October. However, officers needed a warrant to examine the evidence – which has now been obtained.
Cebu Regional Prosecutor Graeme Elmido told the BBC that Thomas Jr. was “adamant” the case needed to be investigated, and felt his father “had to answer for it.”
Thomas moved to Cebu, Philippines in January 2025. The 82 year old moved back to the US in May following a series of strokes. He has strongly denied the allegations, describing them as “sick lies.”
Prior to his son’s admission, police were investigating a laptop found alongside images of child abuse at Thomas’ alleged former residence.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said: “It is not enough to simply come across some materials and immediately draw conclusions. We have to establish where these came from, who may be responsible, and whether Philippine laws were violated.”
A day prior, Mexican authorities raided a storage unit reportedly rented by Thomas, after receiving an anonymous tip. He allegedly stopped paying rent for the storage unit in 2024, but his possessions remained inside.
Authorities reported finding “magazines from Asia” dating back 20 years and computer equipment.
In 2019, London’s Metropolitan Police’s Royalty and Specialist Protection received a letter from Roslyn Loveless, Thomas’ first wife. It’s believed this letter included accusations of Thomas’ child sexual abuse. The Metropolitan Police passed it directly to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s private office.
After the public revelation, Meghan explained it was that letter that prompted their estrangement.
“In 2018 [later clarified to January 2019], 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.
“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.”
The public believed Meghan and her father’s estrangement was due to his behaviour prior to her wedding to Prince Harry in May 2019.
Thomas staged photographs with paparazzi, to show himself exercising, reading and preparing for his daughter’s wedding. He then explained to TMZ that he agreed to the pictures after feeling the paparazzi were painting him in a negative light: buying beer and looking disheveled.
In the same interview, Thomas confirmed he wouldn’t be attending the wedding so as not to “embarrass the Royal Family or his daughter.”
King Charles walked Meghan down the aisle instead.
If you or someone you know has been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, help is always available. Call 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit their website.
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