Meghan Markle’s Father Denies Child Sex Abuse Allegations but Admits Paying for Sex During Trips to the Philippines

Thomas Markle Sr., the estranged father of Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, is facing growing scrutiny after allegations involving child sexual abuse material prompted an investigation in the Philippines. In an interview published October 24, 2026, the 82-year-old former Hollywood lighting director strongly denied the accusations but acknowledged that he had paid for sex with adult women during two trips to the Philippines. His public response comes as authorities examine allegations reported by his son and questions emerge about whether earlier warnings were properly handled.

Markle spoke to the Daily Mail as reports about the investigation spread internationally. He insisted that he had never had sexual contact with anyone under the age of 18 and described the allegations against him as false and deeply hurtful. He also denied possessing illegal images involving children, suggesting that any such material found on his electronic devices could have been placed there by someone else. Markle said he was willing to cooperate with investigators and undergo forensic examinations to establish what the devices contained and who may have accessed them.

The allegations first gained widespread attention after Thomas Markle Jr., Meghan’s half-brother, claimed he had discovered a large collection of suspected child sexual abuse images and videos at his father’s former home in Cebu, Philippines. According to media reports, the material was allegedly found among boxes containing photographs, recordings and other personal belongings. Markle Jr. reportedly contacted authorities about the discovery. Philippine police subsequently confirmed that the matter was under investigation, with digital evidence being examined to determine whether criminal charges may be warranted.

Markle Sr. has challenged his son’s account and questioned how the alleged material could have come into his possession. He reportedly said that his computer and an old phone had been transported from Mexico to the Philippines and that he had not maintained control over the devices during parts of that process. He suggested that the material could have been planted, although that explanation has not been independently established. The investigation will need to determine the origin of any suspected illegal files, whether they were present on the devices and who, if anyone, was responsible for possessing them.

The controversy has also drawn attention to Meghan Markle’s longstanding estrangement from her father. The Duchess of Sussex said she was deeply distressed by the allegations and expressed concern for any children who may have been harmed. She also referred to a letter containing troubling allegations that had been sent to London’s Metropolitan Police and later shared with her. Meghan said she had been assured that the concerns were being investigated and explained that her decision to keep her children away from her father was motivated by a desire to protect them.

The Metropolitan Police confirmed that it received a letter containing allegations about Thomas Markle Sr. in January 2019. The force said the letter was reviewed and passed to the office of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, but the details were not shared with other law enforcement agencies at that time. Police are now reviewing how the matter was handled and considering whether the circumstances warrant referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct. The difference between Meghan’s recollection of the timing and the date recorded by police has also become part of the public discussion.

Meanwhile, authorities in the Philippines are continuing to examine the allegations surrounding the suspected material reportedly found at Markle’s former residence. The FBI has also acknowledged awareness of the allegations and said it would provide assistance to Philippine authorities as appropriate. No conclusion about criminal responsibility should be drawn before investigators complete their work and any evidence is assessed through the appropriate legal process.

The case has placed the Markle family under renewed international scrutiny, but the central issue remains the investigation itself. Thomas Markle Sr. continues to deny the allegations and says he is prepared to cooperate with authorities. Investigators must now establish what material was found, how it came to be there and whether the evidence supports any criminal charges. Until those questions are resolved, the allegations remain unproven, and Markle has not been established guilty of the alleged offenses.

Sources: New York Post