Meghan’s 2025 Letter to Father Cites Abuse Claims as Philippine Probe Deepens

Key points

• Meghan sent a letter to Thomas Markle Sr. in December 2025, delivered to his hospital bed, stating he would never meet their children due to known abuse allegations.
• Philippine authorities are investigating digital evidence found at Markle’s former home in Cebu, reported by his son Thomas Markle Jr., who claimed to have found 'hundreds, if not thousands' of child sexual abuse images.
• Meghan stated she first learned of allegations against her father in 2018 or 2019, via a letter from the Metropolitan Police, which she said was shared with her but not other agencies.
• Thomas Markle Sr. denies possessing child abuse material, calling the claims 'sick lies,' but admits to paying for sex with adults in the Philippines.
• The Metropolitan Police is reviewing its handling of the 2019 letter, which it did not share with other law enforcement agencies, and is considering referring itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.
• The FBI has acknowledged the allegations and is coordinating with Philippine authorities, while the Philippine interior minister described Markle Sr. as a 'possible sex offender of the grossest kind' pending forensic analysis.

Background

Meghan and Harry have been estranged from Thomas Markle Sr. since his 2018 wedding, which he did not attend after being paid by paparazzi to pose for photos. The couple has faced public scrutiny over their relationship with the royal family, but Meghan’s recent statement aims to clarify that her distance from her father was solely to protect her children. The archive articles from October 25, 2026, confirm that Meghan’s 2025 letter cited abuse claims and that the Metropolitan Police admitted failing to share 2019 claims with other agencies. The current developments add new details about the Philippine investigation and the FBI’s involvement.

How outlets are covering it

CBS News and BBC News emphasize Meghan’s 2025 letter and the Metropolitan Police’s review of its 2019 letter, highlighting the duchess’s statement that her distance from her father was to protect her children. ABC News focuses on Meghan’s 'deeply distressed' statement and the Philippine Department of Justice’s investigation, noting that Markle Sr. has denied the allegations. Yahoo and Stylecaster highlight the royal family’s attempt to distance themselves from the scandal, with Prince William and Kate Middleton reportedly 'appalled' but 'determined' not to be 'dragged' into the news. The Guardian provides a more detailed account of the Philippine investigation, quoting interior minister Jonvic Remulla as describing Markle Sr. as a 'possible sex offender of the grossest kind' pending forensic analysis. The outlets differ in their emphasis on the timeline of Meghan’s knowledge of the allegations, with some citing 2018 and others 2019, and in their portrayal of the royal family’s response, with Yahoo and Stylecaster focusing on their attempt to distance themselves, while CBS and BBC focus on Meghan’s statement and the Metropolitan Police’s review.

Why it matters

This story highlights the ongoing scrutiny of the royal family and the Duchess of Sussex, as well as the importance of child protection and the handling of abuse allegations by law enforcement. The Metropolitan Police’s review of its 2019 letter and the FBI’s involvement underscore the seriousness of the allegations and the need for thorough investigation. The story also raises questions about the royal family’s response to the scandal and the potential impact on public perception of Meghan and Harry.

What to watch

The Metropolitan Police is expected to complete its internal review of the 2019 letter and may refer itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct. The Philippine authorities are expected to release a statement after completing their forensic analysis of the digital evidence, which is expected to take a week. The FBI is coordinating with Philippine authorities and may investigate any related allegations of federal violations of U.S. law. Meghan and Harry are expected to continue to distance themselves from the scandal, while the royal family may face further public scrutiny over their response.