Meghan Markle’s 2025 Letter to Father Cites Abuse Claims, Ending Decades of Contact

Key points

• Meghan Markle sent a final letter to Thomas Markle Sr. in 2025 while he was hospitalized in the Philippines, stating she would never contact him again or allow him to meet their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
• The Metropolitan Police confirmed receiving a letter with abuse claims in January 2019 but admitted it was not shared with other law enforcement agencies, only passed to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex for awareness.
• Philippine authorities are investigating allegations that child sexual abuse images were found at Markle’s former home, with Interior Minister Jonvic Remulla confirming the seizure of his computer for forensic examination.
• Thomas Markle Sr. denies possessing child abuse images, calling the claims 'sick lies,' though he admits to paying for sex with adults in the Philippines. His son, Thomas Markle Jr., reported finding the images and contacted the FBI.
• Meghan Markle stated she was first made aware of the allegations in 2018, but police records indicate the letter arrived in 2019; her spokesperson attributed the discrepancy to the passage of time.

Background

This development follows Meghan Markle’s estrangement from her father since 2018, when he withdrew from her royal wedding citing ill health. Previous archive coverage noted that Thomas Markle Sr. moved to the Philippines after a series of strokes and later had a leg amputated in 2025. The current investigation stems from claims by his son, Thomas Markle Jr., who allegedly discovered child abuse imagery at his father’s former home and reported it to Philippine police and the US FBI in July 2026.

How outlets are covering it

The Independent and BBC emphasize Meghan Markle’s 2025 letter as the definitive end of contact, highlighting her assertion that authorities knew of the abuse claims. Yahoo focuses on the Metropolitan Police’s admission that they failed to share the 2019 letter with other agencies, framing it as a procedural failure. All sources agree on Thomas Markle Sr.’s denial of child abuse allegations, but The Independent and BBC note his admission to paying for sex with adults, while Yahoo highlights his son’s accusation that he is trying to 'destroy' him with lies. The BBC and Yahoo both confirm Philippine authorities are conducting a digital forensic examination of Markle’s computer, whereas The Independent notes his daughter Samantha Markle’s defense of her father as a 'set-up.'

Why it matters

This case highlights failures in UK police handling of child abuse allegations involving a high-profile family member and raises questions about the protection of children in royal families. The Philippine investigation and FBI involvement indicate international scrutiny, while the Met Police’s review of its 2019 handling may lead to accountability for not sharing critical information with other agencies. Meghan Markle’s statement underscores the personal impact of these allegations on her family and her decision to prioritize her children’s safety over maintaining contact with her father.

What to watch

The Metropolitan Police are considering a referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct to review their 2019 handling of the case. Philippine authorities are expected to complete the forensic examination of Thomas Markle Sr.’s computer, which could provide evidence to support or refute the allegations. Thomas Markle Sr. has offered to speak to anyone who wants to talk to him and welcomed a forensic examination of his computer, claiming that any bad content was placed there by someone else. The outcome of these investigations may determine whether criminal charges are filed against Thomas Markle Sr. or if the case is closed due to lack of evidence.