Meghan Markle’s estranged father, Thomas Markle Sr., was reportedly accused of sexually abusing a child in a 2018 letter to police.
A specialist unit of the Metropolitan Police in London received a letter in 2018, in which Thomas, 82, was accused of sexually assaulting a child, according to The Sun. The letter, whose author was not identified, alleged Thomas Sr. admitted he went to the Philippines and Thailand to abuse children.
Thomas Sr. has not publicly addressed the accusations.
The former lightning designer’s son, Thomas Markle Jr., told The Sun on Thursday, October 22, that he allegedly discovered child sex abuse material (CSAM) in boxes at his father’s home in the Philippines and alerted authorities. Thomas Sr. vehemently denied the claims, saying the accusations were “sick lies.”
“I’m shocked, I’m hurt and I’m very upset that my son is making these accusations against me,” Thomas Sr. told the Daily Mail on Friday, October 23. “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.”
Thomas’ daughter Meghan, 45, was allegedly alerted to the letter’s existence ahead of her 2018 royal wedding to now-husband Prince Harry.
“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,” the Duchess of Sussex told Us in a Friday statement, addressing the allegations against her father. “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, who shares two children with Harry, further claimed her estrangement from Thomas Sr. stemmed from the allegations mentioned in the letter obtained by police.
“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,” the As Ever founder added. “I trusted that the authorities were doing the same for other families.”
Meghan concluded, “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.”
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson has since told Us that the unit is “undertaking enquiries internally” to confirm the letter’s contents.
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
If you or someone you know is experiencing child abuse, call or text Child Help Hotline at 1-800-422-4453.
