Meghan Markle’s estrangement from her father, Thomas Markle Sr., has come under renewed scrutiny following reports of an investigation into alleged child sexual abuse material reportedly found among his belongings in the Philippines. A source close to the Duchess of Sussex suggested the allegations could shed light on why she has remained distant from her father since 2018.
However, the claims have not been established in court, and no criminal charges have been announced.
New investigation brings Meghan and Thomas Markle’s rift back into focus
“Now maybe people will finally understand why she has had nothing to do with her father since 2018,” a source close to Meghan reportedly told The Sun after the new reports, as the allegations involving Thomas Sr. reignited attention on their already strained relationship.
According to the outlet, Meghan’s half-brother, Thomas Markle Jr., reported the alleged discovery after finding material among belongings at their father’s former home in Cebu, Philippines. He reportedly contacted law enforcement authorities in both the United States and the Philippines.
Thomas Jr. has said he was horrified by what he allegedly found and indicated that he would not speak to his father unless he was called to give evidence. He told the publication after submitting a sworn statement to Philippine officials:
“I have supported, cared for him and helped him for years — but that stops now. I won’t speak to my father ever again unless I’m called to give evidence against him.”
Thomas Jr. was reportedly searching through boxes of his father’s belongings for a phone for his Filipino girlfriend’s father when he came across the device. He later told friends he was left deeply shaken after a 15-minute explicit video appeared on the abandoned LG phone. He reportedly said:
“What I saw made me sick to the stomach… all this stuff was just dumped on me, and I didn’t know what to do… I knew right away it was highly illegal and would land me in jail for a long time if I didn’t get rid of it. I felt betrayed, angry and disgusted, and realised I had to report him.”
His half-sister, Samantha Markle, has disputed the allegations, denied the claims against their father and accused Thomas Jr. of attempting to damage him. She expressed her “shame” on her brother, telling the Daily Mail:
“There is no merit in these disgusting allegations whatsoever, and my brother is disgusting for making them up. He wants to destroy our dad. Shame on him.”
Meghan has not publicly commented on the reported probe. Still, the renewed attention has brought the Suits star’s long-standing estrangement from Thomas back into the spotlight, with the family’s history stretching back years before the latest claims emerged.
Why Meghan Markle has been estranged from her father since 2018
Meghan’s relationship with Thomas broke down in the days leading up to her May 2018 wedding to Prince Harry. Thomas admitted to staging paparazzi photographs of himself preparing for the royal wedding, drawing widespread criticism and adding pressure to an already tense period.
He ultimately skipped the ceremony, citing health problems. King Charles III, then Prince of Wales, accompanied Meghan partway down the aisle at St George’s Chapel in Windsor.
The fallout continued after the wedding. In August 2018, Meghan reportedly sent her father a personal letter asking him to stop speaking to the tabloids. Thomas later made the letter public, in which Meghan addressed the “pain” he was causing, saying that her heart was broken “into a million pieces.” The letter read:
“You’ve told the press that you called me to say you weren’t coming to the wedding, that didn’t happen because you never called… I’ve only ever loved, protected, and defended you… and you chose to only speak to tabloids.”
Meghan spoke about the painful separation during her 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey, saying, “I’ve lost my father.” Her comments reflected how deeply the breakdown had affected her, even as the relationship remained fractured. By December 2018, Thomas declared the Duchess of Sussex had completely “frozen [him] out.”
Thomas has repeatedly expressed a desire to reconcile with his daughter and meet her children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. However, there has been no indication that they have resumed regular contact.
Thomas’s health has also become part of the family’s recent story. He reportedly returned to the United States in May 2026 after experiencing a blood clot that led to the amputation of his left leg. He was reportedly placed in a Florida nursing and rehabilitation facility as he recovered.
Meghan reportedly reached out to Thomas Sr. following his hospitalization in December 2025, with a letter delivered through trusted contacts. That reported gesture, however, did not necessarily signal a reconciliation, and reports say they remain completely estranged.
For now, the new allegations remain unresolved, and Meghan has not publicly addressed the latest reports.
Image Courtesy: Meghan Markle/Instagram, social media photos
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