Meghan Markle’s Father Arrested Over Child Abuse Material, Years-Long Family Rift Back In Focus

Meghan Markle’s estranged father, Thomas Markle Sr., 82, was arrested in Florida on November 6 over alleged possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). The arrest has brought renewed attention to the years-long rift between the Duchess of Sussex and her father, whom she has kept away from her children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.

The US Department of Justice said Thomas was charged with one count of possessing child sexual abuse material. According to a federal complaint, FBI agents seized approximately 78 items, including slides, film negatives and books containing suspected abusive material, from two storage units in the Los Angeles area that he had rented since 2008.

Investigators allege that some photographs depicted Thomas with prepubescent girls. He faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison if convicted. He appeared before a magistrate judge in Tampa, Florida, and was released under house arrest with electronic monitoring. A psychiatric evaluation was also ordered. Thomas has denied the earlier allegations, describing them as "sick lies". He has not been convicted, and the allegations remain subject to court proceedings.

The investigation reportedly began after Thomas Markle Jr. discovered suspected material among his father's belongings in the Philippines and alerted authorities in October. The FBI subsequently traced two storage units in California and obtained search warrants.

Philippine authorities are also preparing to pursue criminal charges against Thomas following their investigation, with a case potentially being filed as early as November 9, according to ITV News.

Meghan was reportedly close to Thomas while growing up. A television lighting director, he introduced her to the entertainment industry by taking her to television sets where he worked.

However, their relationship deteriorated before her May 19, 2018, wedding to Prince Harry. Thomas withdrew from the ceremony following heart surgery and controversy over staged paparazzi photographs. Prince Charles, now King Charles III, eventually walked Meghan down the aisle.

The fallout deepened after Thomas repeatedly discussed their relationship in media interviews, despite Meghan's reported objections. In 2019, the Mail on Sunday published a private letter she had written to him, triggering legal action by Meghan and Harry against the newspaper.

Meghan later told Oprah Winfrey in 2021 that she had lost her father, while Harry described the estrangement as deeply sad in their Netflix documentary.

Meghan said the decision to keep Thomas away from her children was about protecting them. In October 2026, she revealed that a letter containing disturbing allegations against her father had reached the Metropolitan Police in January 2019 and was subsequently shared with her. The force confirmed it had not forwarded the allegations to other law enforcement agencies and is reviewing its handling of the matter.

Following his arrest, Meghan said she was "deeply distressed" and hoped justice would be served, adding that the safety and protection of children must remain the priority.