Thomas Markle Sr., the father of Meghan Markle, has been arrested in Florida on a charge of possessing materials depicting the sexual abuse of children. The arrest took place Friday, Nov. 6. A day earlier, federal prosecutors had filed a criminal complaint against the father of the Duchess of Sussex. Meghan Markle said she is deeply shaken by the reports and expressed hope that the matter will be fully clarified.
A 14-page court document obtained by Fox News Digital shows that FBI agents searched two storage units rented by Markle. Officers seized about 78 items, including photographic negatives, slides and books, which investigators say may contain materials depicting the sexual abuse of minors. Among the negatives found in one of the units, about 18 images were identified as potentially illegal. Prosecutors say Markle had rented the spaces since 2008 and was still paying for them in October 2026.
Investigators are also examining a possible link between the seized materials and the Philippines. The Anahaw Lodge hotel facility was recognized in some of the photos. The British daily The Sun previously reported that Thomas Markle Jr., Meghan’s half brother, found boxes containing hundreds, and possibly thousands, of images depicting child sexual abuse while clearing out his father’s former home in Cebu in the Philippines. Markle Jr. told the newspaper that he reported the discovery to local police and contacted the FBI.
Meghan Markle commented on her father’s arrest in a statement provided to Fox News Digital.
“I am deeply shaken by the news that has come to light over the past 24 hours, and my thoughts are with all the children who may have been harmed,” she said.
According to her account, a letter containing serious allegations against her father was sent as early as 2018 to London’s Metropolitan Police and to its Royalty and Specialist Protection unit. Meghan said she was made aware of its contents and was assured that the information presented was being checked.
Markle stressed that her decision to distance herself from her father and to keep him from having contact with her children stemmed from concerns for their safety.
“I hope it can now be understood that (…) my decision not to allow him contact with our children had one reason: to protect them,” she said. She added that she hopes justice will be served and that protection will be provided to children who may have been victims of crimes.
Editor: JŁ
Source: Słoneczne Radio
