Meghan Markle’s father Thomas Markle denies child pornography allegations: ‘It’s just a bunch of lies’

Meghan Markle’s father, Thomas Markle Sr., has denied allegations that he possessed child pornography, describing the claims as “a bunch of lies” after reports emerged that his son had alerted authorities to the alleged discovery of the material.

The 82-year-old addressed the allegations in a statement to the Daily Mail on Friday, October 23, following reports that his son, Thomas Markle Jr., had allegedly found a large collection of child sexual abuse material among his father’s belongings.

“I’m shocked, I’m hurt and I’m very upset that my son is making these accusations against me. I could never do what I’m being accused of. It’s the worst thing anyone could accuse me of,” Thomas Sr. said.

“This is bull****. It’s just a bunch of lies. It’s sick. I have no idea why Tom is trying to destroy me with these lies,” he added.

According to reports by The Sun, Thomas Jr. claimed he discovered four large boxes containing computers and other belongings at his father’s former home in Cebu, Philippines. He alleged that the boxes contained hundreds or potentially thousands of images depicting child sexual abuse and said he reported the discovery to authorities.

Thomas Sr. disputed his son’s account, claiming the computers in question had not been in his possession since 2025. He said they had been packed in Mexico and transported to the Philippines by cargo ship, adding that he had repeatedly asked his son to return them.

“I don’t know who had access to the computers,” Thomas Sr. said, maintaining that he had never downloaded such material. He also claimed he had not spoken to his son in months and questioned why the allegations had been made.

The reports prompted renewed attention to Meghan’s estrangement from her father. The Duchess of Sussex issued a statement on October 23 expressing distress over the allegations and revealing that she had been made aware of troubling claims involving her father in 2018, shortly after her wedding to Prince Harry.

Meghan said a letter containing the allegations had been sent to the Metropolitan Police and Royalty and Specialist Protection, and that she had been assured the matter was being investigated. She also explained that keeping her children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, away from their grandfather had been a decision made to protect them.

“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,” she said.

Meghan added that her thoughts were with any children who may have been harmed and expressed hope that justice would be served. Thomas Sr. has strongly denied the allegations, which remain allegations and have not been established as fact.

The Metropolitan Police has said it is making internal enquiries to establish whether a letter was passed on in 2018. It has also clarified that it is not currently investigating a man in his 80s residing outside the United Kingdom. Philippine authorities have reportedly begun looking into the allegations.