Meghan Markle has said she is 'deeply distressed' after reports claimed her father is under investigation for possession of child abuse images.
Thomas Markle Sr, 82, is said to be under investigation by police in Cebu, Philippines, after his son, Thomas Jr, 60, allegedly reported images he found on his devices.
Duchess issues statement
A statement issued by the Duchess of Sussex this morning said: “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.
“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.
“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.
“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.”
No charges yet
Thomas Sr has not been charged, and police in the Philippines have not commented on the allegations.
The 82-year-old moved to the Philippines last year after leaving Mexico.
Thomas Sr recently underwent a procedure to insert an additional heart stent after medical tests revealed his heart was functioning at only 30% capacity.
He has survived two previous heart attacks, suffered a stroke in 2022, and was forced to have a below-the-knee amputation last December after suffering a severe blood clot.
Estrangement from daughter
He has not spoken to his daughter Meghan since she married Prince Harry in 2018, and has never met his grandchildren Prince Archie, seven, and five-year-old Princess Lilibet.
Meghan and her father fell out on the eve of the royal wedding after it emerged he had made deals with paparazzi to stage photos of himself preparing for the event.
Thomas Sr has made repeated appeals for his daughter to get back in touch, and said last year: "I don't want to die estranged from Meghan."
