One Week: Forensic Deadline Set for Markle Sr's Digital Files

A Philippine forensic team has been given one week to produce results from a digital examination of computers belonging to Thomas Markle Sr, the father of Meghan, Duchess of Sussex. This timeline was confirmed by Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla as authorities investigate claims that the former US airman possessed child sexual abuse images.

The investigation stems from an allegation by Thomas Markle Jr, 60, who told detectives he discovered hundreds or thousands of such images on devices stored in four boxes at his father's former residence in Cebu. Markle Sr lived in the Philippines until returning to the United States in May following a stroke. He has denied the claims, describing them as sick lies in an interview with the Daily Mail.

Markle Sr, who is currently in a Florida rehabilitation center learning to walk with a prosthetic limb after a leg amputation, said he was shocked and hurt by the news. He stated that the computers had not been in his possession since he moved from Rosarito, Mexico, to the Philippines in January 2025 for a fresh start. His half-sister, Samantha Markle, supported his denial, arguing that the devices were out of his control for two years, leaving room for tampering.

Meanwhile, Meghan Markle issued a statement through a spokesperson to address the growing scrutiny. She described herself as deeply distressed by the allegations. The statement revealed that the Metropolitan Police shared a letter with her in 2018 containing disturbing accusations against her father. The letter had been sent to the Met's Royalty and Specialist Protection unit, known as Rasp. Meghan said she was assured the allegations were being investigated, though the Met has not formally opened a case.

Sources indicated that Meghan remained silent about the letter in 2018 to avoid jeopardizing potential investigations or facing legal action. The Rasp unit reportedly passed the document to her shortly after her wedding. The Met is now conducting internal inquiries to verify if Rasp officers were involved in transmitting the letter. Meghan said her decision to limit her father's contact with her children was driven by a desire to protect them, noting that she trusted authorities to do the same for other families.

The Philippine justice department confirmed that a human trafficking and child sexual exploitation taskforce in Cebu is handling the matter. The FBI stated it will support the local authorities and investigate any related violations of US federal law. Markle Jr contacted the FBI directly regarding the findings. The digital forensic examination is the immediate next step in determining the origin and scope of the images.

Markle Sr has been estranged from his daughter since he missed her wedding to Prince Harry in 2018 due to health issues. He has not met his grandchildren, Prince Archie, who is seven, and Princess Lilibet, who is five. The forensic results from Cebu are expected to provide the first concrete data on the digital devices at the center of the dispute.

The case has drawn attention to the timeline of Markle Sr's movements and the storage of his electronic devices. The one-week deadline for the forensic analysis sets a specific benchmark for when the first evidence may be available to investigators and the public.