Meghan Markle Distresses Over Allegations Against Father

The Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, expressed deep distress after confronting her father last year regarding child sexual abuse allegations. CBS News has reported this information following an investigation by the BBC. Meghan learned of these allegations about her father, Thomas Markle Sr., in 2018, based on a letter from London’s Metropolitan Police.

Authorities in the Philippines recently confirmed they are investigating Thomas Markle Sr. for allegedly possessing a large collection of child sexual abuse materials. The items were reportedly handed over by his son, Thomas Markle Jr. Meghan issued a statement emphasizing her disconnection from her father, motivated by a desire to protect her children. In her statement, she explained that she and Prince Harry decided to cut off contact with him after learning of the disturbing allegations.

Footage obtained by the British tabloid, the Daily Mail, shows Thomas Markle Sr. receiving a letter from Meghan while hospitalized in the U.S. in December 2025. The contents of the letter reportedly indicate awareness of his abusive actions and their determination to keep him away from Meghan and Harry’s children, Archie and Lilibet.

Thomas Markle Sr., 82, denied remembering specific contents of the letter but acknowledged the claims made by his daughter. He dismissed the allegations, asserting they are malicious lies, and reiterated his intention to cooperate with authorities. The Sun also reported that the Metropolitan Police were informed of several claims against Markle in 2019, including child sexual abuse, which were conveyed to the Duchess of Sussex.

Meghan’s statement further detailed her motivation for distancing from her father due to the allegations made in a 2018 letter from the Metropolitan Police and Royalty and Specialist Protection. She emphasized her priority was protecting her family from troubling allegations.

A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police indicated they are reviewing their internal processes to confirm involvement of their officers in transmitting the letter. However, they are not actively investigating Thomas Markle at present.

Public sympathy for Meghan may be influenced by these revelations, according to CBS News contributor Roya Nikkhah. She observed that the public might separate Meghan’s personal ordeal from her past grievances with the royal family. Yet, the sympathy regarding her father’s allegations might be more straightforward due to the distressing nature of these events.