Meghan Markle Responds to Philippine Inquiry Into Her Father
The Duchess of Sussex claims she received early notice of serious claims regarding Thomas Markle, even as officials in Cebu province launch a formal review.
By Owen Turner ·

Tension has risen around the family of the Duchess of Sussex following confirmation that authorities in the Philippines are examining her father, Thomas Markle. The probe focuses on the alleged presence of child sexual abuse materials in the man's residence. While the legal process is now public, questions remain about how long the family knew about these specific concerns and what steps were taken in the intervening years.
In a written statement sent to United Facts on Friday, Meghan described her reaction to the developing news as one of deep distress. She asserted that the allegations were not a sudden surprise to her. According to her account, a letter containing troubling details was submitted to U.K. police forces back in 2018. She stated that this correspondence was subsequently shared with her personally. The duchess noted that she received assurances at that time that the matter was under investigation.
However, records suggest the U.K. side of the equation may have been less active than the family understood. The Metropolitan Police has indicated that it has not conducted an investigation into Thomas Markle and is not currently doing so. A spokesperson for the force acknowledged reports that officers from its Royalty and Specialist Protection Command assisted in passing on the 2018 letter. The department is now conducting internal enquiries to verify exactly what happened during that handoff.
The current probe stems from actions taken by Thomas Markle Jr., the senior man's son. He reported his father to Philippine authorities after allegedly finding incriminating files in storage boxes at their family home. The discovery reportedly occurred while the father was in the United States receiving treatment for a stroke and a blood clot. Thomas Jr. claimed to have first noticed the materials when powering on an old mobile phone at the property.
Following the initial discovery, the younger Markle is said to have contacted several agencies. These include the FBI hotline, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and state police in Pennsylvania. He made these reports in July of this year, setting the stage for the international attention the case now commands.
Thomas Markle Sr. has pushed back against the claims. Speaking to the Daily Mail on Friday, he denied ever downloading such files. He characterized the accusations as sick lies, a defense that adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing review.
Philippine state media confirmed on Friday that the Department of Justice is actively looking into the case. The Philippine News Agency noted that the subject is an American citizen in his eighties who allegedly left videos and photos in his home in Cebu province. A justice official confirmed that the department's anti-trafficking task force is handling the matter.
Meghan also addressed the long-standing distance between herself and her father. She stated that her decision to limit contact was driven by a desire to protect her children. She expressed hope that this motive is finally understood, despite what she described as media distortions over the years. Her closing remark emphasized a sincere hope that justice is served and that the safety of innocent children remains the top priority.
Source: CBS News





