Meghan Markle’s estranged father, Thomas Markle Sr, is facing serious allegations involving child sexual abuse material, including a claim that a photograph shows him engaging in a sexual act with a girl believed to be underage. Authorities in the Philippines have confirmed an investigation, while the 82-year-old has strongly denied the accusations.
The allegations emerged after Meghan’s half-brother, Thomas Markle Jr, reportedly discovered photographs, videos and electronic devices among their father’s belongings at his former home in Cebu, Philippines.
According to reporting by The Sun, one of the items is a photographic negative allegedly showing Thomas Markle Sr in a sexual act with a girl who appears to be underage. The identification of the people depicted, the girl’s age and the circumstances surrounding the image have not been independently established.
The claim forms part of a wider investigation into suspected child sexual abuse material reportedly handed to Philippine authorities.
On Friday, 23 October 2026, Philippine Justice Undersecretary Nicholas Ty confirmed that the country’s task force dealing with human trafficking and the online sexual abuse and exploitation of children was investigating the matter.
The development has also prompted responses from the FBI in the United States, London’s Metropolitan Police and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, who says she was informed of disturbing allegations concerning her father eight years ago.
Philippine authorities have since confirmed that an investigation is under way, although that does not establish that the material belongs to Thomas Markle Sr or that he committed an offence.
The distinction is important because identifying the people in a photograph, establishing their ages and determining who created or possessed an image can require forensic examination and other evidence. There has been no confirmed criminal conviction arising from the allegations.
Meghan’s father denies child sexual abuse allegations
Thomas Markle Sr has rejected the accusations made by his son.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, he described the allegations as “sick lies” and said he could never commit the acts being attributed to him.
He also disputed his son’s account of the electronic equipment, saying some of the computers had not been in his possession since he left Mexico in January 2025.
His denial raises questions that investigators will need to examine, including who had access to the devices, when the material was created or stored, and whether there is evidence connecting him to any alleged criminal activity.
The former Hollywood lighting director had lived in the Philippines but subsequently returned to the United States for medical treatment. He has not been convicted of any offence connected with the claims.
Meghan reveals she received disturbing information in 2018
Meghan, who married Prince Harry in May 2018, has responded publicly to the allegations against her father.
In a statement released on Friday, she said she was deeply distressed by the reports and expressed concern for any children who may have been harmed.
She revealed that a letter containing troubling allegations about her father had been sent to the Metropolitan Police and its Royalty and Specialist Protection unit in 2018.
According to Meghan, the letter was subsequently shared with her, and she was assured that the allegations were being investigated.
The Duchess also explained that concerns about her children’s safety were behind her decision to maintain her distance from her father and prevent him from having contact with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
Her comments introduce another dimension to a family estrangement that has attracted widespread public attention since her royal wedding. However, the precise contents of the 2018 letter have not been publicly established, and it remains unclear whether the earlier allegations relate directly to the material now being investigated in the Philippines.
FBI and Metropolitan Police respond to allegations
The investigation has attracted attention from law enforcement agencies in Britain and the United States.
The FBI confirmed that it was aware of the allegations and would provide assistance to Philippine investigators where appropriate.
The US agency also said it would examine any related allegations involving possible breaches of American federal law.
Meanwhile, London’s Metropolitan Police said it was conducting internal enquiries to determine whether officers from its Royalty and Specialist Protection Command had been involved in passing on the 2018 letter mentioned by Meghan.
The force has not confirmed that it previously investigated Thomas Markle Sr.
These responses highlight the possible international dimension of the case, given the reported location of the material in the Philippines, the family’s connections to the United States and Meghan’s account of earlier information reaching British police.
What investigators must establish
The case now depends on whether authorities can verify the allegations and establish sufficient evidence of any criminal offence.
Investigators will need to determine whether the reported images and videos contain illegal material, identify the people involved where possible and establish who possessed or controlled the items.
They must also examine the authenticity of the material and the circumstances in which it was discovered.
The allegation involving a girl believed to be underage is particularly serious. However, an image said to depict a sexual act cannot, by itself, establish the age of the person involved or prove the identity of the alleged offender without supporting evidence.
Any decision on possible criminal charges would depend on the findings of investigators and the relevant legal authorities.
The matter remains an active investigation, and the allegations must not be treated as proven facts.
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What readers should know
As of 24 October 2026, authorities in the Philippines have confirmed an investigation into allegations involving Meghan Markle’s father. The FBI has acknowledged the matter, while London’s Metropolitan Police is examining its records concerning a letter reportedly shared with Meghan in 2018.
Thomas Markle Sr denies wrongdoing. The reported photograph involving a girl believed to be underage has not been independently authenticated in the information available, and no finding of guilt has been established.
The next significant development will be whether investigators confirm the contents and ownership of the material and announce any criminal charges.
