Philippines probe: Meghan Markle cites 2018 police letter on father

The Philippine Department of Justice is investigating whether Thomas Markle Sr., the 80-year-old father of Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, left child abuse photos and videos at his residence in Cebu province. The state-run Philippine News Agency confirmed the inquiry on Friday, reporting that the department's anti-trafficking task force is handling the matter.

Meghan said in a statement sent to CBS News on Friday that she had known of allegations against her father since 2018. She said a letter detailing them was sent then to the Metropolitan Police and Royalty and Specialist Protection. "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," she said.

The Metropolitan Police said it is aware of media reporting that officers from its Royalty and Specialist Protection Command helped pass along a letter in 2018. "We are undertaking enquiries internally in an effort to confirm this," a spokesperson said. The force has not investigated Thomas Markle and is not currently doing so, according to CBS News.

The Sun reported Thursday that Thomas Markle Jr. turned his father in to Philippine authorities after finding materials in storage boxes at the family home. The Daily Mail reported Friday that Thomas Markle Sr. denies the claims. "I have never downloaded anything like that in my life," he was quoted as saying, calling the allegations "sick lies."

According to the Mail, Thomas Markle Jr. found the materials on an old cell phone at the home while his father was in the United States being treated for a stroke and blood clot. He reported them in July to an FBI hotline, the National Center for Exploited and Missing Children and state police in Pennsylvania. A Filipino justice official confirmed Thomas Markle Sr. as the subject of the probe, the Philippine agency reported.

Meghan said she kept distance from her father to shield her children. "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," she said. She added that her "sincerest hope is that justice will be fully served and that the priority remains the safety and protection of innocent children."