Meghan Markle issues statement on allegations her father Thomas Markle had explicit images of children

Warning: This article contains discussion of child abuse which some readers may find distressing.

Meghan Markle has issued a statement following the accusations that her father had a hoard of child sex abuse images, saying she is 'deeply distressed'.

The Duchess of Sussex's brother, Thomas Markle Jnr, alleged that he had found a stash of images belonging to her father, Thomas Markle Snr, 82, at his former home in the Philippines, The Sun reported.

In an interview with the Daily Mail, Thomas Snr denied possessing child sex images, calling the accusations 'sick lies'.

Now, in a statement first reported by The Sun and later issued to the Press Association, Meghan 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.

“In 2018, a letter was sent to the Metropolitan Police and Royalty and Specialist Protection. 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."

Meghan Markle's father, Thomas Markle Snr, has been accused of possessing child sex images (Channel 5)

The statement continued: “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.

"I trusted that the authorities were doing the same for other families. 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.”

Before Meghan's statement, her father spoke to the Daily Mail from a rehab centre in Florida, where he is learning to walk with a prosthetic limb after his left leg was amputated below the knee last December.

He told the publication: "I'm shocked, I'm hurt and I'm very upset that my son is making these accusations against me. I could never do what I'm being accused of. It's the worst thing anyone could accuse me of.

"This is bulls****. It's just a bunch of lies. It's sick. I have no idea why Tom is trying to destroy me with these lies."

Affter reportedly submitting a statement to police, Thomas Jr told The Sun: “When I found this material I was horrified and I had no option but to report my dad.

“I have supported, cared for him and helped him for years - but that stops now. I won’t speak to my father ever again unless I’m called to give evidence against him.”

The Duchess has been estranged from her father since she wed Prince Harry in 2018 (Pool/Getty Images)

Thomas Sr has had no contact with Meghan since she wed Prince Harry back in 2018 - a ceremony he was unable to attend due to health complications.

In the years that followed, he endured a stroke, which cost him his ability to speak at the time.

Then, in January 2025, he made the move to the Philippines, after being 'constantly reminded of my estrangement from my daughter' in the States.

He previously told press: "I could not escape her and Harry who were always on TV with their shows, books and interviews. So I moved to the other side of the world hoping for a quieter life."

LADbible Group has contacted Meghan Markle's representatives for comment, as well as London's Metropolitan Police Service.

If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence regarding the welfare of a child, contact the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000, 10am-8pm Monday to Friday. If you are a child seeking advice and support, call Childline for free on 0800 1111, 24/7.