Thomas Markle Senior, the estranged father of the Duchess of Sussex, is under investigation in the Philippines after his son reported finding a large quantity of alleged child sexual abuse material.
Thomas Markle Junior submitted a sworn statement to child protection officers in Cebu City on 22 October 2026 and agreed to hand over four cardboard boxes for forensic examination.
He told The Sun he discovered the material while sorting through belongings left behind when his father returned to the United States earlier this year after serious health problems.
Philippine authorities from the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking appointed a specialist task force under the Women and Children’s Protection Centre to examine the items.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation confirmed it had received the report and is considering a parallel inquiry in the United States, where Thomas Markle Senior currently lives.
No charges have been filed and the 82-year-old has not been arrested.
Thomas Markle Junior told The Sun: “When I found this material I was horrified and I had no option but to report my dad.”
He added that he would not speak to his father again unless required to give evidence.
Family Responses
The Duchess of Sussex issued a statement to People magazine on 23 October 2026.
She said: “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 confirmed that a letter containing troubling allegations against her father had been sent to the Metropolitan Police and Royalty and Specialist Protection in 2018 and later shared with her.
She stated that any distance from her father, including the decision to prevent contact with her children, was taken solely to protect them.
Samantha Markle spoke to Page Six on 22 October 2026 and rejected the claims.
She described the accusations as lies motivated by money and a desire for revenge on the part of her brother.
Thomas Markle Senior has denied the allegations, calling them “sick lies” in comments reported by several outlets.
The investigation remains at an early stage with authorities in both countries continuing to examine the material and the circumstances of the report.
