Sussex Duchess Details 2018 Warning as Philippine Authorities Investigate Father

A significant gap between prior knowledge and current action has emerged regarding the legal scrutiny of Thomas Markle. The Duchess of Sussex stated on Friday that she learned of the serious allegations against her father back in 2018, a finding that contrasts with the recent opening of a formal probe by authorities in the Philippines. Her statement, sent to reporters, describes her current emotional state as one of deep distress over the situation unfolding in her father’s home country.

The duchess explained that a letter containing troubling details was delivered to the Metropolitan Police and its Royalty and Specialist Protection unit in 2018. This document was later shared with her, and she recalled receiving assurances that the claims were under active investigation. However, records suggest the Met has not opened a case against Thomas Markle and is not currently pursuing one. A spokesperson for the force acknowledged awareness of media reports indicating that officers helped transmit the 2018 letter. The department is currently conducting internal inquiries to verify the historical handling of that correspondence.

The latest developments follow reports that Thomas Markle Jr. alerted Philippine officials to the issue. The younger son claimed to have discovered storage boxes containing alleged child sexual abuse materials at the family residence in the Philippines. This discovery reportedly occurred while his father was in the United States receiving treatment for a stroke and a blood clot. Markle Jr. said he first noticed the content after powering on an old mobile device left at the home. He is said to have contacted the FBI hotline, the National Center for Exploited and Missing Children, and Pennsylvania state police in July.

Thomas Markle Sr. has publicly rejected the accusations. He was quoted in the Daily Mail as denying that he ever downloaded such files, characterizing the claims as sick lies. Meanwhile, Philippine state media confirmed on Friday that the Department of Justice has launched an investigation. The state-run Philippine News Agency noted that the probe involves an American national in his eighties who allegedly left videos and photos in his home in Cebu province. A justice official confirmed that the department’s anti-trafficking task force is leading the effort and identified Thomas Markle Sr. as the subject.

The duchess also addressed the long-standing distance between herself and her father. She clarified that this estrangement was a deliberate choice made to shield her children from the situation. She expressed hope that the public would now understand that her decision to limit her father’s contact with their children was driven by a single motive: their safety. She added that her primary wish is for the legal process to reach a fair conclusion while keeping the protection of innocent children at the forefront.

The investigation is expected to proceed under the oversight of the Philippine Department of Justice. The outcome of the internal Met review and the findings of the Cebu province probe will likely determine the next steps in both jurisdictions. For now, the focus remains on the legal processes in the Philippines and the clarification of the 2018 police correspondence in the United Kingdom.