Meghan Markle's father due in US court over abuse images

Thomas Markle Sr, the estranged father of Meghan Markle, was arrested in Tampa, Florida, on Friday morning, according to US media. The specific charges and additional details of the arrest are not yet publicly known. The arrest came following an investigation launched after Meghan's son, Thomas Markle Jr., found boxes containing thousands of images at his father's former residence in Cebu City, Philippines.

Philippine authorities reported the recovery of approximately 7,500 photos and one video depicting underage children from electronic devices related to the investigation. The images reportedly included children as young as 10 or 11. Philippine police confirmed an initial forensic examination identified suspected child sexual abuse and exploitation material, though the investigation has not yet determined the ownership, production, or distribution of the material.

The FBI is cooperating with Philippine authorities to identify additional individuals involved. Meghan Markle, 82, has denied possessing child sexual abuse images and expressed deep distress over the reports. She revealed that a letter with troubling allegations about her father was sent to London's Metropolitan Police in 2018 and shared with her.

Meghan stated that she had been assured the allegations were being investigated and has kept her father away from her children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, to protect them. The investigation has expanded to Mexico, where reports of a separate cache of material linked to Markle are being examined.