Meghan Markle disclosed on Friday that she became aware in 2018 of troubling allegations against her father, Thomas Markle, who is currently accused of possessing child pornography. The Duchess of Sussex said she first learned of these allegations following the receipt of a letter sent to London’s Metropolitan Police and Royalty and Specialty Protection squad, which was subsequently shared with her. Sources confirm that concerns about Thomas Markle were known within certain circles as early as 2018.
Markle’s revelation has sparked scrutiny regarding her past interactions with her father and the timing of her distancing from him. Some observers questioned why Markle and her husband, Prince Harry, did not alert law enforcement authorities in the United States or Mexico, where Thomas Markle resided at the time. However, representatives for Markle indicated that she lacked concrete proof necessary to initiate public accusations and was advised that speaking out prematurely could have jeopardized any ongoing investigations or exposed her to legal action.
Critics have pointed to Markle’s previous comments and public statements, questioning the consistency of her position given that she had repeatedly criticized media coverage about a rift with her father. One source remarked that Markle could have provided some acknowledgment of troubling accusations years ago but did not do so. In a 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey, Markle expressed deep grief over the estrangement, stating she had “lost” her father, a sentiment echoed by Harry, who accepted some responsibility for their fractured relationship.
In her statement, Markle explained that her knowledge of the allegations came after her marriage to Prince Harry in May 2018 and said this was the primary reason for maintaining distance from her father and denying him contact with their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. She emphasized that her actions were motivated by protection of her family.
Despite this, questions remain about Markle’s attempts to engage with Thomas Markle during certain periods. In August 2018, she sent him a handwritten letter pleading for him to stop speaking to the media and expressing that his public comments had deeply hurt her. Further, sources note that Markle tried to reach her father following his leg amputation in December 2025 in the Philippines, though official statements confirm only that a private letter was delivered to him via trusted intermediaries; the letter’s contents have not been disclosed.
The public fallout between Markle and her father first became widely known in the days leading up to her wedding at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle in May 2018. The rift erupted after it emerged that Thomas Markle had staged paparazzi photographs of himself preparing for the ceremony in Mexico. The family dispute resurfaced recently after The Sun reported that Thomas Markle Jr., Meghan’s half-brother, alerted authorities upon discovering the illicit material at Thomas Markle’s residence in the Philippines.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, who have recently relocated back to the United Kingdom with their children, have not provided further comment on ongoing investigations related to these allegations. Meanwhile, the circumstances surrounding Thomas Markle’s conduct and the family’s complex dynamics remain under intense public interest.