Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, has said she is “deeply distressed” by reports that her father, Thomas Markle, is being investigated over allegations that he kept child sexual abuse images at his home.
Meghan issued a statement after The Sun reported that the allegations had prompted an investigation. Her father has denied possessing the images, describing the accusations as “sick lies”.
Speaking to Sky News, Meghan said she had previously been made aware of troubling allegations against her father and had been assured that they were being investigated.
“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 said.
Meghan Markle. Photo credit: Natalia Catalina, Shutterstock
“In 2018, a letter was sent to the Metropolitan Police and Royalty and Specialist Protection. 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 said she hoped the latest reports would help explain her decision to remain estranged from her father and prevent him from having contact with her children.
“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. I trusted that the authorities were doing the same for other families,” she said.
She added: “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.”
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry. Photo credit: Pete Hancock, Shutterstock
Meghan has been estranged from her father since 2018, when he was found to have staged paparazzi photographs in the weeks leading up to her wedding to Prince Harry.
Thomas Markle did not attend the wedding, with King Charles, who was then the Prince of Wales, accompanying Meghan down the aisle instead. Her mother, Doria Ragland, was the only member of her family present at the ceremony.
According to The Sun, Meghan's half-brother, Thomas Markle Jnr, alleged that he discovered a collection of images belonging to their father at his former home in the Philippines.
Thomas Markle moved to the country in 2025 after suffering a series of strokes.
The allegations have not been established, and Thomas Markle has denied possessing the images.
