Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, severed all contact with her father, Thomas Markle, last year. According to the BBC, she took this step via a letter, citing allegations of child abuse. In the letter, Meghan stated that both she and the authorities are aware that her father has abused young girls.
Sources close to Meghan indicate that in the letter sent to 82-year-old Thomas Markle, she made it clear that he would never have the opportunity to meet his grandchildren. Reports state that images of child sexual abuse were discovered at a former residence of Thomas Markle in the Philippines.
Previously, in 2019, British police had informed Meghan about these allegations against her father. Thomas Markle, who currently resides in the United States, has denied the accusations.
A rift between them began in 2018, when her father did not attend Meghan’s royal wedding, citing ill health. The letter—sent in 2025—marks the definitive end of the strained relationship between father and daughter.
In an interview with The Sun on Friday, Meghan’s half-brother, 60-year-old Thomas Markle Jr., claimed that he had discovered a collection of videos and images depicting child abuse at his father’s former home in the Philippines. He contacted the FBI regarding this in July—a fact the agency has since confirmed.
Having long defended his father, Thomas Markle Jr. issued an apology to Meghan through The Sun, admitting that for the past nine years, he had been protecting the wrong person. Philippine authorities have stated that their task force dedicated to combating human trafficking and child sexual abuse is currently investigating the allegations. Philippine Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla confirmed that the national police have seized Thomas Markle’s computer and will conduct a digital forensic examination. Meanwhile, in an interview with The Mail on Sunday, Thomas Markle admitted to engaging in sexual relations in the Philippines in exchange for money, but denied allegations regarding involvement with minors or the possession of child abuse imagery.
On Saturday, Britain’s Metropolitan Police confirmed that in 2019, they had received a letter containing “multiple allegations” concerning Meghan’s father—a matter they had shared with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex at the time. They did not, however, inform any other law enforcement agencies, and the matter is currently under review.
In a statement on Friday, Meghan acknowledged the existence of the letter, describing its contents as “disturbing.” She expressed deep distress and extended her sympathies to the children who had been harmed. Meghan—the only child of Doria Ragland and Thomas Markle—expressed hope that people would now understand why she had severed ties with her father and why she does not allow him access to children.
