One Week: Deadline Set for Digital Forensics on Markle Sr's Seized Computer

A forensic team in the Philippines has been given one week to complete a digital examination of a computer seized from the home of Thomas Markle Sr, the father of the Duchess of Sussex. This deadline was set by Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, who stated that national police have secured the device for a full review of its digital contents.

The Duchess of Sussex, Meghan, issued a statement through a spokesperson to address the ongoing allegations. She described herself as deeply distressed by reports that her estranged father possessed child sexual abuse images. In the statement, she revealed that the Metropolitan Police had made her aware of disturbing allegations against Markle Sr in 2018.

According to Meghan, a letter was sent in 2018 to the Metropolitan Police and its Royalty and Specialist Protection unit, known as Rasp. The unit later shared this letter with her shortly after her wedding. The document contained troubling allegations against her father, and Meghan stated she was assured at the time that they were being investigated. She said her decision to limit contact with her father and keep him away from her children was driven by a single purpose: to protect them.

Sources indicated that Meghan remained silent in 2018 because speaking publicly could have jeopardized any future investigation or exposed her to legal action. The Metropolitan Police has not previously investigated Markle Sr and is not currently doing so, though the force is conducting internal inquiries to confirm whether Rasp officers were involved in passing the letter to the Duchess.

The current investigation stems from claims made by Thomas Markle Jr, 60, who told detectives in the Philippines that he found hundreds, if not thousands, of such images on computers and mobile phones. These devices were kept in four large boxes at his father's former home in Cebu. Markle Sr lived in that location until he returned to the United States in May following a stroke. The FBI has stated it will support Philippine authorities and investigate any federal violations of US law.

Markle Sr, who is recovering in a rehabilitation center in Florida after a left leg amputation, denied the claims to the Daily Mail. He described the accusations as sick lies and said he was shocked and hurt by the news. He noted that he has not possessed the computers since leaving Rosarito, Mexico, with his son in January 2025 to move to the Philippines for a fresh start. His half-sister, Samantha Markle, also defended their father, accusing Markle Jr of fabricating stories for financial gain after their father cut off his funds.

Nicholas Ty, an undersecretary at the Philippine justice department, confirmed that a human trafficking and child sexual exploitation taskforce in Cebu is handling the matter. Markle Sr has remained estranged from the Duchess since missing her wedding to Prince Harry on health grounds. He has never met his grandchildren, Prince Archie, who is seven, and Princess Lilibet, who is five.