Thomas Markle Sr faces criminal jeopardy as Philippines forensics near completion

Philippine authorities are analysing digital material found at Thomas Markle Sr's former Cebu home. The interior minister says all signs point to a "possible sex offender of the grossest kind".

Philippine forensics close in on Meghan's father over alleged child abuse images

Philippine authorities are conducting forensic analysis of digital material allegedly belonging to Thomas Markle Sr, the estranged father of the Duchess of Sussex, found at his former home in Cebu — as The Sun and other outlets report growing legal pressure on the 82-year-old from multiple jurisdictions.

Jonvic Remulla, the Philippine interior minister, told the Guardian that all signs point to Markle Sr being a "possible sex offender of the grossest kind", adding that forensic data would be complete within a week. "We want to be sure before we release the findings," Remulla said. "Please give us a week to determine the contents and to come up with a definitive picture. We will release a statement then."

In a separate statement to Agence France-Presse, Remulla confirmed that the Philippine National Police inspected Markle's former home and found a "trove of child pornography materials as well as a laptop". He added that the PNP would coordinate with counterpart agencies to locate Markle and take appropriate legal action "if found that there is sufficient evidence to charge him".

Half-brother reported the discovery

The investigation was triggered last week when Markle's half-brother, Thomas Markle Jr, 60, reported to Philippine detectives that he had apparently discovered a stash of child sexual abuse images. According to The Sun, which first reported the story, Markle Jr told authorities he had found "hundreds, if not thousands" of such images on computers and mobile phones stored in four large boxes at the Cebu property. Markle Jr said he had also contacted the FBI in the United States.

Markle Sr has denied all allegations. He told the Daily Mail the accusations were "sick lies" and told the Mail on Sunday he had "never had sex with anyone under the age of 18". He said the computers had not been in his possession since he left Mexico with his son in 2025 and moved to the Philippines "for a fresh start". "This is bullshit. It's just a bunch of lies. It's sick. I have no idea why Tom is trying to destroy me with these lies," he told the Mail.

He is currently reported to be in a Florida rehabilitation centre following a leg amputation carried out while he was hospitalised in the Philippines.

Meghan learned of allegations in 2019

The Duchess of Sussex issued a statement on Friday saying she was "deeply distressed at the news that has come to light in the last 24 hours", adding that her thoughts were with "any children who may have been harmed".

Meghan said a letter had been sent to the Metropolitan Police and Royalty and Specialist Protection in 2018 — though sources later clarified she had misremembered the year, confirming contact had been made in 2019 — containing "troubling and disturbing allegations" against her father, and that she had been given assurances 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," she said. "I trusted that the authorities were doing the same for other families."

The duchess added: "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."

Sources said Meghan had been advised that speaking publicly about the allegations before now could have jeopardised any potential legal case and exposed her to legal action.

In a final letter to her father — first reported by the Sun on Sunday — sent while he was in hospital recovering from his amputation, Meghan made clear he would never see his grandchildren, Prince Archie, seven, and Princess Lilibet, five, and that she would never contact him again, it is understood.

Metropolitan Police reviewing its own conduct

On Saturday, the Metropolitan Police confirmed it had passed a letter "containing a number of claims about alleged offending outside the United Kingdom" to Meghan and the Duke of Sussex in 2019 but had not shared details with other law enforcement agencies at the time. Scotland Yard said it is now considering whether to refer itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct to review its actions.

Sources described the duchess as "upset and really frustrated" that the Met had not acted on the allegations made in that letter.

FBI engaged

The FBI confirmed on Friday it was "aware of the allegations and will provide support, as appropriate, to the Philippine authorities", adding it would also investigate "any related allegations of federal violations of US law".

Markle Sr reportedly travelled to the Philippines at least twice when he was single and paid for sex, he told the Mail on Sunday in a new interview published this weekend.

Source: The Sun