Meghan confirms 2018 alert on father as Philippines launches probe

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, has confirmed that she learned of serious allegations against her father, Thomas Markle, in 2018. She made the disclosure in a statement sent to CBS News on Friday, describing herself as deeply distressed by the recent developments in the Philippines. The duchess said the claims were forwarded to U.K. authorities at the time.

According to the statement, a letter containing troubling and disturbing allegations was sent to the Metropolitan Police and its Royalty and Specialist Protection unit in 2018. Meghan noted that this letter was subsequently shared with her. She stated that she was given assurances that the matters outlined in the document were being investigated by the force.

A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police addressed the timeline on Friday. The force acknowledged media reports that officers from the Royalty and Specialist Protection Command helped pass on the letter in 2018. The spokesperson said the police are currently undertaking internal enquiries to confirm the details. It is understood that the Metropolitan Police has not investigated Thomas Markle and is not currently doing so.

The current inquiry is being led by authorities in the Philippines. The Sun reported on Thursday that Thomas Markle Jr., the duchess's brother, reported his father to Philippine officials. The younger Markle allegedly found child sexual abuse materials in storage boxes at the family home in the Philippines. He reportedly discovered the files after switching on an old cell phone while his father was in the United States receiving treatment for a stroke and blood clot.

Thomas Markle Jr. is said to have first seen some of the materials in July. He reportedly contacted an FBI hotline, the National Center for Exploited and Missing Children, and state police in Pennsylvania regarding the findings. The Daily Mail reported on Friday that Thomas Markle Sr. denied the allegations. He was quoted as saying he has never downloaded such material and dismissed the claims as sick lies.

The Duchess of Sussex also addressed her estrangement from her father in the statement. She said she distanced herself from him to protect her children. Meghan stated that her choice to limit contact between her father and their children was for one specific reason: to protect them. She said she hopes this motivation is now understood despite previous media distortions.

Philippine state media confirmed on Friday that an investigation is underway. The state-run Philippine News Agency said in a Facebook post that the Department of Justice is looking into reports involving an octogenarian American national. The agency stated that the man allegedly left child abuse videos and photos in his home in Cebu province.

A Filipino justice official confirmed that the department's anti-trafficking task force is handling the matter. The official verified that Thomas Markle Sr. is the subject of the investigation, according to the agency's report. The investigation focuses on the alleged possession of the materials in the Cebu home.

Meghan concluded her statement by expressing her sincerest hope that justice will be fully served. She emphasized that the priority must remain the safety and protection of innocent children. The duchess's remarks come as the two nations' authorities examine the timeline of the allegations and the reporting of the case.