Meghan Markle says she kept Prince Archie, Princess Lilibet away from Thomas Markle to protect them

Meghan Markle has explained that her decision to keep her children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, away from her estranged father, Thomas Markle Sr., was motivated by a desire to protect them, following reports of allegations against him.

In a statement to PEOPLE on October 23, the Duchess of Sussex said she had been made aware of troubling allegations concerning her father in 2018, shortly after her wedding to Prince Harry. She said a letter containing the allegations had been sent to the Metropolitan Police and Royalty and Specialist Protection before being shared with her, and that she had been assured the matter was being investigated.

“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,” Meghan said.

She added that she hoped her decision to maintain distance from her father would now be better understood. “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.”

The statement followed reports that Thomas Markle Jr., Meghan’s half-brother, had allegedly discovered child sexual abuse material among his father’s belongings at his former home in the Philippines. According to reports, he alerted authorities, including the FBI. The allegations have not been proven, and Thomas Markle Sr. has denied them.

Meghan expressed hope that the matter would be properly investigated and that the safety of children would remain the priority. “Although the breadth of what has now been uncovered is more sickening than one could ever imagine, my sincerest hope is that justice will be fully served and that the priority remains the safety and protection of innocent children,” she said.

Meghan’s relationship with her father became strained in the lead-up to her 2018 wedding to Prince Harry. Thomas did not attend the ceremony, and the pair have remained estranged since that period. He has never met Archie, seven, or Lilibet, five.

The Duchess’s statement offers further context for a family rift that has attracted years of public attention. Meghan said she had trusted the assurances that authorities were investigating the allegations disclosed to her in 2018.

Her comments came as reports about the alleged discovery prompted renewed scrutiny of the family’s estrangement. Meghan concluded by expressing concern for any children who may have been harmed and calling for justice to be served.