Philippine authorities in Cebu have obtained a court search warrant to examine electronic equipment and tapes retrieved from the former residence of Thomas Markle Sr, the father of Meghan, Duchess of Sussex. The legal step follows reports earlier this month that hundreds of images depicting child sexual abuse were allegedly discovered at the property.
Last week, Markle Sr's son, Thomas Markle Jr, handed over four boxes of material to local officers—including dismantled computers, mobile phones, hard drives, and old VHS tapes—though law enforcement required judicial authorization before they could formally inspect the contents.
The 82-year-old former television lighting director, who is currently in the United States, has strongly rejected the accusations brought forward by his son, calling them "sick lies." Cebu Regional Prosecutor Graeme Elmido stated that Thomas Markle Jr was "adamant" that an investigation take place, explaining that the son felt his father "has to answer for it." Philippine police stated that they must first establish how the items were originally acquired before deciding whether any criminal charges can be brought forward.
The development coincides with details regarding a letter written by Thomas Markle Sr's late ex-wife, Roslyn Loveless. The letter concerning 2019 allegations was previously submitted to the Metropolitan Police and shared with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex at the time. Loveless, who died after divorcing Markle Sr in 1975 prior to his marriage to Meghan's mother, was the mother of Meghan's two half-siblings.
The Duchess of Sussex has been estranged from her father since 2018 and cut all remaining contact last year after informing him that both she and law enforcement agencies were aware of claims that he had abused young girls. In a statement released on Friday, Meghan confirmed the letter's existence, expressing that she was "deeply distressed" and that her "thoughts are with any children who may have been harmed." She noted her hope that people would understand her reasons for severing ties and choosing to "not allow him to have contact with our children."
Speaking publicly, Thomas Markle Jr apologized to Meghan for taking his father's side during their family's long estrangement, admitting that he had "been protecting the wrong person for the past nine years." Thomas Markle Sr relocated to the Philippines last year following a series of strokes and lived in Cebu until May.
He is currently residing in a Florida rehabilitation facility, where he is learning to walk again after a leg amputation. Meanwhile, child advocacy groups describe Cebu as a known hotspot for the sexual exploitation of children, and local authorities emphasize that all such allegations are taken with extreme seriousness.
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