Thomas Markle Sr, the estranged father of the Duchess of Sussex, is reportedly being investigated over alleged child abuse material said to have been found at his home in Cebu, the Philippines.
No charges have been brought. The alleged material was reported to police by his son, Thomas Markle Jr, who said he discovered four large boxes containing images and videos mixed with family mementoes.
Thomas Jr, 60, has given a sworn statement to child abuse investigators in the Philippines. He told the Sun: “When I found this material I was horrified and I had no option but to report my dad.”
He added: “I have supported, cared for him and helped him for years — but that stops now. I won’t speak to my father ever again unless I’m called to give evidence against him.”
Thomas Jr has reportedly told friends that he found a 15-minute video of unclothed girls on an abandoned LG mobile phone while looking for a device for his girlfriend’s father. The report said the victims appeared to be no older than 10 or 11 and that three still images of girls of about the same age were also allegedly found.
He is reported to have contacted an FBI hotline, Pennsylvania state police and the National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children on July 10. Thomas Sr had been living in Pennsylvania before moving to the Philippines with his son.
Thomas Sr returned to the United States in May after suffering a stroke and a blood clot, which resulted in the amputation of his left leg. He had also previously suffered heart attacks and other serious health complications.
Entertainment editor Peter Ford said he had spoken to Thomas Sr’s daughter, Samantha Markle, who believes there is no “merit” to the allegations.
Meghan and her father have been estranged since 2018, shortly before her wedding to Prince Harry. Thomas Sr did not attend the ceremony, citing health problems, while the relationship deteriorated further after he admitted staging paparazzi photographs for money and later gave media interviews.
Following his recent hospitalisation, Meghan’s representatives confirmed that she had made private efforts to contact her father through trusted intermediaries. Direct communication between them remains absent.
