Meghan Markle expresses distress over father’s allegations
LONDON — Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, said Friday that she was “deeply distressed” by a report alleging that her estranged father, Thomas Markle, possessed child sexual abuse images, and stated that she was informed by police of “disturbing allegations” against him in 2018, reports BritPanorama.
In a statement on Friday, Meghan addressed the investigation into claims that her father was keeping child sexual abuse images at his home in the Philippines.
The allegations were first reported by a British tabloid, which stated that Markle’s son had informed police after discovering a collection of images. The tabloid published a photo reportedly showing Markle’s son, Thomas Jr., signing a sworn statement he submitted to the police, where he said, “I won’t speak to my father ever again unless I’m called to give evidence against him.”
Thomas Markle Sr. denied the allegations, branding them “sick lies” in a statement to another UK publication, adding that they were “the worst thing anyone could accuse me of.”
NBC News was not immediately able to identify a contact for Markle Sr., 82, who is reportedly recovering from surgery in a Florida rehabilitation center. Authorities in Cebu City, where Markle Sr. resides, and London’s Metropolitan Police did not respond immediately to inquiries.
Meghan has had a limited and complicated relationship with her father, who did not attend her wedding to Prince Harry in 2018. Thomas Markle Sr. and Meghan’s mother, Doria Ragland, divorced in 1987 after marrying in 1979.
In her statement, Meghan mentioned that she has chosen to keep her children, Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5, away from her father “for one reason: to protect them.”
“I am deeply distressed at the news that has come to light in the last 24 hours, and my thoughts are with any children who may have been harmed,” she added.
Meghan also revealed that she had been made aware of a letter sent to British police and other authorities in 2018, which contained “troubling and disturbing allegations” against her father, for which she was assured investigations were ongoing.
“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 stated.
“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,” Meghan added.
When asked by NBC News when Meghan was informed about the letter to the Metropolitan Police, a spokesman for the couple stated it was in the summer of 2018 after her wedding.
Meghan, 45, and Harry, 42, returned to the United Kingdom earlier this summer following several years in the United States.
The couple made their first joint public appearance last week visiting charities in central England. King Charles III has made clear that their return does not imply a return to active royal duties. Prince Harry, however, has expressed a desire to resolve his disagreements with his family.
