Meghan confronts father over child abuse allegations in hospital letter

Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, delivered a letter to her estranged father, Thomas Markle Sr., in his U.S. hospital room in December 2025, accusing him of abusing young girls. The letter, obtained by a British tabloid, also stated that he would not be allowed to meet Meghan and Harry's children, Archie and Lilibet.

The Philippine police confirmed they are investigating Markle Sr. for alleged possession of child sexual abuse material after his son, Thomas Markle Jr., handed the evidence to authorities. Meghan said she first learned of allegations against her father in 2018 when London's Metropolitan Police shared a letter outlining the claims, leading her and Prince Harry to limit his contact with their children.

"I am deeply distressed by the investigation into my father," Meghan said in a statement last week.

"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 added.

Markle Sr., 82, responded that he does not recall the letter's contents but suggested Meghan's account is likely correct. He denied ever possessing illegal material, calling the accusations "sick lies," and claimed he had never downloaded such content. He also denied any sexual activity with minors, though he admitted to paying for sex in the Philippines.

A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said officers are reviewing internal procedures after media reports indicated the police passed a 2018 letter to Meghan's office. The London police are not currently conducting a separate investigation into Markle Sr.

Royal editor Roya Nikkhah told CBS News that the revelations are likely to generate public sympathy for Meghan, describing the situation as an "extraordinary ordeal" for her.