Thomas Markle is reportedly under police investigation after his son allegedly found a trove of child sex abuse material in the estranged father’s Philippines home.
Thomas Markle Jr., 58, contacted authorities after discovering what he described as “hundreds, if not thousands” of the disturbing images inside several boxes at Thomas Markle Sr.’s residence, according to a report published by the Sun. The younger Markle made the report to police, triggering the ongoing investigation into the 80-year-old retired television lighting director.
The alleged discovery has drawn renewed attention to the long-fractured relationship between Meghan Markle, 42, and her father. The Duchess of Sussex has had no contact with Thomas Sr. Since shortly before her May 2018 wedding to Prince Harry, when a staged paparazzi photo scandal and subsequent health issues led him to withdraw from walking her down the aisle.
An insider close to Meghan offered a pointed assessment of the situation to the Sun. “Now maybe people will finally understand why she has had nothing to do with her father since 2018,” the source said.
The estrangement between father and daughter has been publicly acrimonious for years. Thomas Sr. Has repeatedly given interviews criticizing Meghan and the royal family, while Meghan has largely remained silent about the relationship breakdown except in select legal filings and her 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey.
Thomas Jr. And his father have had their own complicated history. The half-brother previously wrote an open letter urging Prince Harry not to marry Meghan, calling his half-sister a “jaded, shallow, conceited woman.” The brothers’ relationship appears to have shifted dramatically if Thomas Jr. Did in fact report his father to authorities.
Neither Thomas Markle Sr. Nor Thomas Markle Jr. Responded to requests for comment from the outlet. Representatives for Meghan and Harry also did not respond to the outlet’s inquiries.
The investigation comes as Meghan continues building her post-royal career in California with Harry and their two children, Prince Archie, 5, and Princess Lilibet, 3. The couple relocated to Montecito in 2020 after stepping back from senior royal duties.
Philippine authorities have not publicly confirmed details of any active investigation, and no charges have been reported against Thomas Sr. At this time. The country’s laws regarding child exploitation material carry severe penalties, including lengthy prison sentences.
The timing of the alleged discovery and report to police remains unclear from available details. Thomas Sr. Has lived in the Philippines for several years, having moved there after his retirement from Hollywood. He has been photographed in his home near Manila in previous media appearances.
Meghan addressed the painful family rifts during her Oprah interview, noting that she had tried to protect her father even as he spoke against her. She has not publicly commented on this latest development involving the alleged investigation.
The Duchess has maintained minimal contact with most of her father’s side of the family throughout her royal marriage and beyond. Her mother, Doria Ragland, remains her closest family member and a regular presence in her and her children’s lives.