Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, has spoken of her distress following reports that allegations involving her father, Thomas Markle, are being investigated.
The Sun reported that Mr Markle is being investigated over claims that he kept child sexual abuse images at his home. He has denied possessing the images, describing the allegations as “sick lies”.
In a statement to Sky News, Meghan said she had been aware of disturbing allegations against her father since 2018, when a letter was sent to the Metropolitan Police and Royalty and Specialist Protection.
The letter was subsequently shared with Meghan, who said she had been assured that the allegations were being investigated.
“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 said.
Meghan said she hoped the latest reports would also provide context for her decision to keep her father away from her own children, Archie and Lilibet.
“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.
“I trusted that the authorities were doing the same for other families.”
The Duchess added that her priority was the safety of children and that she hoped justice would be served.
Meghan has had a strained relationship with her father for several years. The pair became estranged in 2018, shortly before her wedding to Prince Harry, after Thomas Markle was found to have staged photographs with paparazzi.
He did not attend the royal wedding at Windsor Castle. Instead, King Charles, then the Prince of Wales, walked Meghan down the aisle, while her mother, Doria Ragland, was the only member of her family present.
The Sun's report said Meghan's half-brother, Thomas Markle Jnr, claimed to have found a collection of images belonging to their father at his former home in the Philippines.
Thomas Markle moved to the country in 2025 after suffering a series of strokes.
The claims remain allegations, and Mr Markle has denied possessing the images. Meghan's statement has highlighted her concern for any children who may have been harmed and renewed attention on the long-running estrangement between father and daughter.
