The Duchess of Sussex's father Thomas Markle has reportedly been moved to a care home for dementia patients in the US.
The 82-year-old former TV lighting director is said to have been admitted to the £3,000-a-month facility in Florida which specialises in "memory care", according to The Sun. According to the publication, Markle was moved into the care home on Friday, October 30 by his daughter Samantha, 61.
Move for Safety
She called it a "wonderful place" and said her father was transferred there for his "safety", The Sun reports. Markle is believed to have been diagnosed with dementia in recent months, following a series of health problems, including a stroke and a blood clot which resulted in the amputation of his left leg.
Earlier this month, it was revealed Markle is facing a police investigation in the Philippines over alleged possession of child sexual abuse images. The allegations were made by his son, Thomas Markle Jr, Meghan's half-brother, who claimed to have discovered the images among family belongings and computer files.
Allegations Denied
Speaking to the Daily Mail, Markle Sr said: "I'm shocked, I'm hurt and I'm very upset that my son is making these accusations against me. I could never do what I'm being accused of. It's the worst thing anyone could accuse me of."
He added: "Those computers were boxed up in Mexico and put on a cargo ship which took months to get to the Philippines. I kept asking Tom for my computers but he wouldn't give them to me." Markle Sr said he had "never downloaded anything like that in my life" and also hadn't spoken to his son "in months".
Meghan's Response
After the allegations emerged, Meghan shared her pain and revealed she was aware of "troubling and disturbing" claims against her dad in 2018 after a letter was sent to the Metropolitan Police, and it was later shared with her. In a statement, 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. It made troubling and disturbing allegations against my father and I was given assurances that these were being investigated."
