Thomas Markle Sr., the estranged father of Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, has been charged with possession of child pornography following his arrest by FBI agents in Florida, The Telegraph reported Friday. The 82-year-old is scheduled to appear in federal court in Tampa, according to the newspaper, which cited the U.S. Department of Justice.
The charges mark a significant escalation in an international investigation involving authorities in the United States, Mexico and the Philippines, where suspected child pornography was discovered among belongings linked to Markle. He was reportedly detained at a residential care facility in Lakeland, Florida, where he has been living since returning to the United States earlier this year. The former Hollywood lighting director underwent a leg amputation in the Philippines last year and now uses a wheelchair. He has repeatedly denied wrongdoing.
Thomas Markle Sr. and Meghan
More than 7,000 images recovered in Philippines
The investigation began in October after Markle's son, Thomas Markle Jr., 60, reported finding suspected child pornography among belongings at his father's former home in Cebu City, Philippines. The younger Markle contacted Philippine police and the FBI, handing over electronic devices and other materials for examination.
At a news conference Thursday, Philippine Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla said investigators had recovered more than 7,000 photographs and one video depicting underage boys and girls of Asian, Latin American and European descent, including children who appeared to be as young as 10 or 11. Remulla described the material as among the most disturbing evidence of child sexual exploitation he had encountered.
In an unexpected development, Remulla also identified Thomas Markle Jr. as a person of interest in the investigation. He said there were indications that the younger Markle might also have been involved, although he stressed that Markle Jr. was not being treated as a suspect and that investigators had not established his involvement in any crime.
Philippine police have emphasized that the discovery of illegal material on electronic devices does not, by itself, establish who owned the files or was responsible for storing or producing them. Investigators are working with U.S. authorities to determine ownership and examine whether additional individuals were involved.
Mexican police raid storage unit near former home
A separate investigation in Mexico began after the Daily Mail reported discovering suspected child pornography inside a storage unit previously rented by Markle near his former home in Rosarito, a coastal town close to the U.S. border.
The newspaper said its reporters found approximately 20 boxes containing photographs, publications, videotapes, electronic equipment and personal belongings. Among the materials were photographs of naked females, some of whom appeared particularly young, alongside magazines sexualizing children, photographic negatives and VHS tapes bearing disturbing titles.
Investigators also found old computers, hard drives, USB devices and a paper plate bearing the words "DARK WEB" alongside several internet addresses. Authorities have not disclosed what was stored on the electronic devices or whether the addresses were connected to criminal activity.
After the Daily Mail alerted the FBI, Mexican authorities raided the storage unit. Officers from Mexico's National Guard and Baja California state investigators reportedly seized computer equipment, USB drives, videotapes and publications for forensic examination.
According to a search warrant obtained by the newspaper, investigators were authorized to look for evidence of child pornography and possible aggravated human trafficking. The reference to human trafficking in the warrant does not establish that Markle committed such an offense, and no related charge has been confirmed.
Markle reportedly rented the storage unit in 2017 but stopped making payments approximately two years ago. He moved to the Philippines in early 2025 without removing its contents, according to the Daily Mail. The facility's owners and employees said they were unaware of the materials stored there.
The younger Markle also claimed to have informed the FBI about two additional storage units in Los Angeles that might contain relevant evidence. Authorities have not disclosed the results of any examination of those locations.
The elder Markle has denied renting the Mexican storage unit and previously described the allegations involving the Philippines as fabricated claims made by his son. He acknowledged paying for sex in the Philippines but insisted that he had never engaged in sexual activity with anyone under 18.
Meghan Markle received warnings years earlier
The criminal case has also renewed scrutiny of Meghan's longstanding estrangement from her father and allegations that British police failed to act on information concerning him years before the current investigation.
Following the initial reports from the Philippines, the Duchess of Sussex said she was "deeply distressed" by the allegations and expressed concern for any children who might have been harmed. She also revealed that she had previously received a letter containing disturbing accusations against her father and had been assured that authorities were investigating them.
The letter, reportedly written by Markle's late first wife, Roslyn Loveless, had been sent to London's Metropolitan Police in 2019 before being passed to Meghan through a member of her royal protection team. According to The Telegraph, Scotland Yard has acknowledged that the allegations contained in the correspondence were not shared with overseas law enforcement authorities.
The newspaper reported Friday that the Metropolitan Police had not contacted Meghan to determine which royal protection officer had passed her the letter. The officer allegedly assured her that the accusations would be investigated and advised her against making them public.
A source close to the duchess told The Telegraph that police had previously requested a copy of the letter from her office but had not sought further assistance in identifying the officer involved.
According to The Telegraph, Meghan wrote to her father last year, making clear that he would not be allowed to meet her children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. The newspaper reported that the letter referred to allegations of abuse against him.
The duchess and Prince Harry declined to comment on Friday's developments.
Charges bring international investigation to US court
Markle, who worked for decades as a television lighting director, has been estranged from his daughter since the period leading up to her 2018 wedding to Prince Harry. He did not attend the ceremony after becoming embroiled in a controversy over staged paparazzi photographs and subsequently suffering a heart attack.
His reported arrest at a Florida care facility comes after renewed attention to his health and family relationships. Following his leg amputation in the Philippines last year, he publicly appealed to Meghan to contact him, saying he did not want to die while they remained estranged. A spokesperson for the duchess confirmed at the time that she had reached out to her father.
The formal charges represent the most significant legal development in the case so far. Investigations in Mexico and the Philippines are continuing, with authorities seeking to determine the origin and ownership of the recovered material and whether additional offenses were committed.
The Telegraph reported that Markle is expected to appear before a federal court in Tampa on Friday. The precise wording and number of counts in the U.S. charging documents have not been independently verified.
Markle has denied wrongdoing and remains presumed innocent unless convicted.
First published: 16:56, 11.06.26