Philippines launches formal probe into Meghan Markle's father over digital files

The Philippine Department of Justice confirmed on Friday that it is actively investigating Thomas Markle Jr., the 80-year-old American father of Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, over alleged possession of child sexual abuse materials. The state-run Philippine News Agency verified the probe in a social media post, identifying Markle as the subject of the inquiry. A justice official told the agency that the department's anti-trafficking task force is currently handling the case.

The investigation focuses on materials found in Cebu province, where Markle resides. According to reports from the Daily Mail, his son, Thomas Markle Jr., discovered the files in storage boxes at the family home. The younger Markle reportedly found the items while his father was in the United States receiving treatment for a stroke and a blood clot. He said he first noticed the contents after turning on an old cell phone at the residence.

Meghan Markle issued a statement to CBS News on Friday, describing herself as "deeply distressed" by the news. She said she has known about the allegations since 2018 and that the matter was passed to U.K. authorities at that time. Her statement noted that a letter was sent to the Metropolitan Police and its Royalty and Specialist Protection unit. "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 wrote.

The Metropolitan Police acknowledged the correspondence but stated it is not currently investigating Markle. A spokesperson said the force was aware that officers from its Royalty and Specialist Protection Command helped pass on the letter in 2018 and is conducting internal enquiries to confirm the details.

Thomas Markle Jr. reported the discovery to the FBI hotline, the National Center for Exploited and Missing Children, and Pennsylvania state police in July. The British tabloid The Sun reported on Thursday that he had also reported his father to Philippine authorities. In response, Markle denied the claims in an interview with the Daily Mail. "I have never downloaded anything like that in my life," he said, dismissing the accusations as "sick lies."

Meghan also addressed the estrangement between her and her father. She said she distanced herself from him to protect her children, stating that her choice to limit his contact with them was for one reason: to protect them. "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.

The Duchess added that her "sincerest hope is that justice will be fully served and that the priority remains the safety and protection of innocent children."