Police issue 'we will not let anybody do this to our children' warning as Meghan Markle's father faces abuse images investigation
Philippine investigators are examining four boxes of belongings surrendered by Thomas Markle Sr's son, with forensic specialists seeking to establish the origin and ownership of suspected illegal material as authorities consider possible international involvement.
Philippine police have warned they “will not let anybody, whether foreign national or Filipino national, do this to our children” as investigators examine a large collection of alleged child sexual abuse images linked to belongings surrendered by the son of Meghan, Duchess of Sussex’s long-estranged father, Thomas Markle Sr.
The 82-year-old former Hollywood lighting director is under investigation after his son, Thomas Markle Jr, 60, handed over four large boxes of possessions to police in Cebu City, where the pair had been living.
Authorities are examining electronic devices allegedly containing hundreds or thousands of abusive images, with investigators seeking to establish who downloaded or possessed the files and identify any potential victims.
Thomas Sr has denied all allegations against him and has not been charged.
Speaking at a press conference after the final items were surrendered, Philippine National Police spokesperson Colonel Allen Rae Co said: “We are very saddened by this, and we will not let anybody, whether foreign national or Filipino national, do this to our children.”
He added: “We have to establish the file and its nature, the origin of the files as well as ownership of these materials.”
Rae Co also said: “If there will be evidence found of any wrongdoing, we will have to establish possession during the relevant timeline, as well as the identities of the victims if there are any.”
The Philippine National Police said an initial forensic examination of the material could take approximately a week, although the quantity of evidence may mean the investigation continues for considerably longer.
The belongings have been recorded under 80 categories on a police inventory and are being examined by Cebu’s Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit 7.
According to The Sun, Thomas Jr submitted a sworn statement to prosecutors before returning to provide a supplementary affidavit authorising cybercrime specialists to inspect the material.
The former window fitter said he was determined to assist the investigation after discovering what he alleged were disturbing images among his father’s possessions.
Speaking to The Sun, Thomas Jr said: “It’s been a long process but I’m determined to cooperate fully in the hope that justice will be done.”
He continued: “It took nine hours to sign all the documentation as I handed over all that stuff but I was relieved to get it off my hands.”
Thomas Jr said he believed investigators could spend months examining the devices.
He said: “I think it will take months to check all these items and confirm my father is the disgusting monster I’ve now disowned.”
Thomas Jr added: “But if it transfers to the US, I’d be prepared to fly to Florida, or wherever he is, to see him in court.”
Philippine interior minister Jonvic Remulla, 58, has also addressed the investigation, describing the allegations in stark terms while emphasising the importance of completing forensic checks.
Mr Remulla said: “Right now all signs point to a possible sex offender of the grossest kind. We want to be sure before we release the findings. The forensics data will be complete in a week.”
The Philippines’ National Bureau of Investigation director, Melvin Matibag, confirmed his organisation had been in contact with the FBI about the case.
Authorities are examining whether any alleged offences could fall within American or Mexican jurisdiction, given Thomas Sr’s previous residences.
According to The Sun, preliminary checks indicated some of the material dated from 2014 and 2020, before Thomas Sr moved to the Philippines.
Investigators have not publicly established who downloaded the files or whether Thomas Sr was responsible for possessing them.
Thomas Jr became his father’s full-time carer after the former lighting director suffered a stroke in 2022.
The pair relocated from Mexico to Cebu City in January 2025, but Thomas Sr subsequently returned to the United States for medical treatment after a serious blood clot led to the amputation of his left leg.
Before retiring, Thomas Sr worked as a Hollywood lighting director on television productions including Married... with Children and General Hospital.
His daughter Meghan, 45, who played Rachel Zane in Suits before marrying Prince Harry, 42, in 2018, has been estranged from her father for several years.
Responding to the allegations against her father through a spokesperson, Meghan said: “I am deeply distressed at the news that has come to light in the last 24 hours, and my thoughts are with any children who may have been harmed.”
She added: “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.”
Thomas Sr has rejected the allegations against him, describing them as “sick lies”, according to the Daily Mail.
