The Duchess of Sussex has spoken out about the "troubling and disturbing allegations" made against her father, Thomas Markle Snr, following claims by her half-brother to The Sun.
Thomas Markle Jnr alleged he found child sex images and reported the matter to police in the Philippines. In a conversation with the Daily Mail, Thomas Markle Snr vehemently denied possessing child sex images and called the allegations "sick lies".
Statement from the Duchess
In a statement, Meghan revealed she was informed of the allegations back in 2018 after a letter had been sent to the Metropolitan Police and Royalty and Specialist Protection. She 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."
Reason for distance from father
Meghan said her decision to keep her father away from her children was solely to protect them. She added: "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."
Thomas Markle Snr has denied the allegations.
