London — Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, said on Friday that she is “deeply distressed” by a report claiming that her estranged father, Thomas Markle Sr., was in possession of images of child sexual abuse. She added that the police had informed her in 2018 about “disturbing allegations” concerning him.
In a statement released on Friday, Meghan addressed a report alleging that her father is under investigation regarding claims that he kept videos and images of child sexual abuse at his home in the Philippines.
Meghan whose relationship with her father has been limited and strained in recent years stated, “The magnitude of what has now come to light is unimaginably heinous.” Her father did not attend her 2018 wedding to Prince Harry, a fact that received significant media attention.
The allegations against Markle Sr. were first reported on Thursday by the British tabloid The Sun. The outlet stated that his son had alerted the police after discovering what he described as “hundreds, if not thousands” of images of child sexual abuse inside boxes at his father’s home.
The Sun published a photograph appearing to show his son, Thomas Markle Jr., signing a sworn statement submitted to the police, in which he is quoted as saying: “I will never speak to my father again, unless I am called to testify against him.” 82-year-old Markle Sr. rejected the reported allegations, describing them in a statement to the UK’s Daily Mail as “lies born of a sick mind.” He added that this is “the worst thing I could possibly be accused of.”
NBC News could not immediately identify a point of contact for Markle Sr., who, according to the Daily Mail, is currently in a rehabilitation center in Florida recovering from surgery.
Markle Jr. told The Sun that he had reported his discovery to the FBI as well as to local authorities in the Philippines. NBC News reached out to the FBI for comment, but they did not respond immediately.
The Philippine Department of Justice confirmed on Friday that the “matter is under investigation” but declined to provide “further details” at this time.
Police in Cebu City where Markle Sr. resides in the Philippines and London’s Metropolitan Police did not immediately respond to requests for comment from NBC News.
In an unusual statement released on Friday, Meghan explained that she decided to keep her children 7-year-old Prince Archie and 5-year-old Princess Lilibet away from her father for “one reason: for their safety.”
“I am deeply troubled by the news that has emerged over the last 24 hours,” she stated, “and my heart goes out to all children who may have been harmed.” Meghan stated that she had been informed about a letter sent to the British police and other authorities in 2018, which contained “alarming and disturbing allegations against my father,” and that she was assured these were being investigated.
She added, “Hopefully, it is now understood that despite the distorted portrayals by certain media outlets over the years my decision to distance myself from my father and to keep my children away from him was made for one reason only: to keep them safe.”
Meghan remarked, “While the gravity of what has now come to light is almost unimaginable, it is my sincere hope that justice is fully served and that the safety and protection of innocent children are prioritized.”
When asked by NBC News when Meghan was first informed about the letter sent to the Metropolitan Police, a spokesperson for the couple stated that it occurred in the summer of 2018, following her marriage to Harry.
Markle Sr. told the Daily Mail that he had “not spoken to his son for months,” adding, “These horrific lies are being told about me without a shred of evidence.” He further stated that he would “welcome an investigation” into the matter, dismissing the allegations as “a pack of lies.”
His daughter, Samantha Markle, also commented to the Daily Mail regarding her brother’s accusations: “There is absolutely no truth to these vile allegations… He wants to destroy our father. He should be ashamed of himself.” NBC News did not immediately receive a response to requests for comment from Markle Jr. or Samantha Markle Meghan’s half-siblings.
Markle Sr. married Meghan’s mother, Doria Ragland, in 1979; the couple later divorced in 1987.
Meghan, 45, and Harry, 42, returned to the UK earlier this summer after living in the United States for several years.
Last week, the couple made their first joint public appearance while visiting charitable organizations in central England. King Charles III has made it clear that their return does not signal a resumption of active royal duties. However, Harry recently stated that he hopes his differences with his family can be “resolved.”
