Meghan Markle’s father arrested: What are the allegations against Prince harry's wife's estranged dad, Thomas Markle Sr.?

Meghan Markle’s estranged father, Thomas Markle Sr., has been arrested by federal agents in Florida in connection with an investigation involving alleged child sexual abuse material, according to two people familiar with the case who spoke to The Associated Press. The arrest follows reports about material allegedly found at a property Thomas previously occupied in the Philippines. He has denied the accusations, while Meghan has spoken publicly about how upsetting the allegations have been.

What led to Thomas Markle’s arrest?

AP report says federal agents arrested the 82-year-old outside Tampa. No further details of the charges have been released yet. As per the NY Post, the case is being run by the US Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California. The Post reports that the case is centred on a laptop allegedly found at Thomas’s previous home in the Philippines and materials allegedly found in a storage unit in Mexico.


The allegations came to wider attention following a report in The Sun that Meghan’s half-brother Thomas Markle Jr. had come across hundreds, if not thousands, of images of child sexual abuse while going through their father’s former home in Cebu City.

Markle Jr. told the paper he'd reported the material to the Philippine police and had also contacted the FBI.

“I have supported, cared for him and helped him for years — but that stops now,” he told The Sun. “I won’t speak to my father ever again unless I’m called to give evidence against him.”

Thomas Markle Sr. has flatly denied the allegations, describing them as 'sick lies'.

What has Meghan Markle said about the allegations?

Meghan has spoken about how distressing the reports have been for her and described herself as “deeply distressed” by the allegations. She confirmed that a letter containing “troubling allegations” about her father had been sent to London police in 2018.

“It made troubling and disturbing allegations against my father and I was given assurances that these were being investigated,” Meghan said. She also made the decision to keep her father away from her children as a protection for them.

Why is Meghan estranged from her dad?

Thomas didn't go to Meghan’s wedding to Harry at Windsor in 2018. The rift between them became the subject of extensive British media coverage. The couple now have two children (Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet). Thomas, who was a retired TV lighting and photography director, had been based in the Philippines earlier this year before suffering a stroke which resulted in the amputation of his left leg. He subsequently returned to the US.

The inquiry is still underway. The exact nature of the charges has not yet been disclosed by the authorities and the allegations have not been proven in court. The information is taken from the New York Post and The AP.