Meghan Says She Was Told of Allegations Against Her Father in 2018 and Calls the News Sickening

The Duchess of Sussex said on Friday, Oct. 23, 2026 that she was made aware of allegations against her estranged father, Thomas Markle Sr., in 2018, and kept him away from her children to protect them. Her statement followed a Sun report on Thursday, Oct. 22 that police are investigating Markle Sr. over alleged child sexual abuse images, which he denies. The allegations are unproven, and no charges against him have been identified.

"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," Meghan, 45, said in the statement.

What Meghan said about 2018

"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," she said.

She said she hoped people could now understand why she has had no contact with her father and why she did not allow him contact with her children, Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5. "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," she said. "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," she said.

What has been alleged, and what is not known

According to The Sun, Meghan's half brother, Thomas Markle Jr., 60, alleged that he found child sexual abuse images and videos in storage boxes at his father's former home in Cebu in the Philippines, on a phone and on laptops left behind when Markle Sr. returned to the United States. The Sun reported that Markle Jr. submitted a sworn statement to police in Cebu. "When I found this material I was horrified and I had no option but to report my dad," he told the newspaper.

The Sun also reported that the FBI was set to launch its own inquiry, and USA Today said it had sought comment from the FBI and British police. No police force has publicly confirmed charges, and the claims rest on what Markle Jr. says he found, so every part of that account should be treated as an allegation.

The denial

Markle Sr., 82, denied possessing child sex images in an interview with the Daily Mail. "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 said, according to The Times. He also said he had no idea why his son was trying to destroy him with lies. The Daily Mail reported that he is now at a rehabilitation center in Florida.

Meghan has had no contact with her father since 2018, the year she married Prince Harry on May 19, 2018. Markle Sr. did not attend the wedding, and her statement is the first time she has publicly said that allegations passed to police that year were the reason for the distance.