Meghan Markle’s reported final letter to her father, Thomas Markle, has brought renewed attention to a family estrangement that began years before the latest allegations emerged. Sent in 2025 while Thomas was recovering in a Philippine hospital after having his leg amputated, the letter reportedly made clear that Meghan would not allow him to meet Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
The story has now taken a more serious turn, with Philippine authorities investigating separate allegations involving alleged child sexual abuse material reportedly found at Thomas’s former home in Cebu. Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Police has confirmed that it received an earlier letter containing allegations concerning him and is reviewing how the correspondence was handled.
Meghan Markle’s Reported Final Letter to Her Father in 2025
According to reporting by the BBC and People, Meghan sent Thomas Markle a personal letter in December 2025 while he was hospitalised in the Philippines following the amputation of his leg.
Sources familiar with the correspondence said Meghan told her father that she knew about allegations concerning him and that he would never meet her children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. The letter was also reportedly intended to make clear that it would be the last communication he received from her.
The reported correspondence represents another chapter in a relationship that has remained strained since Meghan’s 2018 wedding to Prince Harry.
Neither Meghan nor her representatives have publicly released the complete letter. Its reported contents therefore remain accounts attributed to people familiar with the document, rather than independently verified text.
Importantly, the letter was reportedly sent in 2025, before the current allegations became public. It should not be confused with an earlier letter sent to British police that has since become the subject of an official review.
Another Chapter in the Sussex Family Story
The relationship between the Sussexes and the wider royal family has continued to attract public attention. Read our report on Prince William’s reported reaction to their UK return for more on the family tensions.
The Two Letters at the Centre of the Meghan Markle Story
The current reporting concerns two separate pieces of correspondence, with different purposes and timelines.
| Detail | Earlier police letter | Reported final personal letter |
| Date | Received by the Metropolitan Police in January 2019 | Reportedly sent in December 2025 |
| Recipient | Metropolitan Police | Thomas Markle |
| Purpose | Contained claims about alleged offending outside the UK and was reviewed in connection with security concerns | Reportedly communicated Meghan’s decision to end contact |
| Subsequent development | Passed to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s office for their awareness | Reportedly stated that Thomas would not meet Archie and Lilibet |
| Current status | The Met is reviewing its handling of the correspondence | The complete contents have not been publicly released |
The distinction matters because the police letter has an official record, while the contents of Meghan’s reported final letter have emerged through media accounts.
What Meghan Markle Said About the Earlier Allegations
On October 23, Meghan issued a public statement after reports emerged that Philippine authorities were investigating allegations involving her father.
She began by expressing concern for any children who might have been harmed.
“I am deeply distressed at the news that has come to light in the last 24 hours, and my thoughts are with any children who may have been harmed.”
Meghan then described the earlier police correspondence and said she had been made aware of its contents.
“In 2018, a letter was sent to the Metropolitan Police and Royalty and Specialist Protection. That letter was subsequently shared with me. It made troubling and disturbing allegations against my father and I was given assurances that these were being investigated.”
Her statement also addressed the longstanding public debate surrounding her decision to remain estranged from Thomas and prevent him from meeting her children.
“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 added that she hoped justice would be served and that the safety and protection of children would remain the priority.
Her remarks offered a public explanation for a decision that had attracted attention for years. However, her account of what she was told about the allegations must be distinguished from any legal finding about their truth.
Metropolitan Police Confirms It Received a Letter in January 2019
The Metropolitan Police initially said it was checking reports that officers from its Royalty and Specialist Protection Command had been involved in passing a letter to Meghan.
On October 24, the force confirmed that its records showed it had received the correspondence in January 2019.
According to the Met, the letter contained “a number of claims about alleged offending outside the United Kingdom.”
The force explained that the correspondence was sent to its Protection Command because of concerns relating to Meghan’s security. After reviewing the letter, the force decided to pass it to the office of Prince Harry and Meghan for their awareness.
However, the Met also clarified an important detail about what happened next.
“The details of the allegations in the letter were not shared with other law enforcement agencies.”
The force is now reviewing how the matter was handled and considering whether a referral to the UK’s police watchdog would be appropriate.
The confirmation establishes that the letter was received and describes how the Met handled it. It does not establish that the allegations in the correspondence were true.
Why the dates have become significant
Meghan referred to the letter as having been sent in 2018, whereas the Metropolitan Police says its records show that it received it in January 2019.
A spokesperson for the Sussexes acknowledged the discrepancy, saying that if the police had a time-stamped record confirming when the letter was received and reviewed, that should be treated as the accurate reference point.
The spokesperson also said it was understandable that Meghan could have been mistaken about the precise timing after several years had passed.
The difference between the dates does not change Meghan’s broader statement that she became aware of allegations concerning her father around the period following her 2018 marriage and believed authorities were investigating them.
ITV News Reports Seeing the Earlier Letter
On October 24, ITV News reported that it had seen a copy of the earlier correspondence.
According to the broadcaster, the document was handwritten, ran across several pages and contained allegations concerning Thomas Markle. ITV chose not to publish the specific allegations or identify the people mentioned in the letter.
The broadcaster reported that the letter was addressed to a specialist Metropolitan Police unit and was subsequently passed to Meghan’s police protection team so that it could be given to her.
ITV also reported that the letter was passed to Meghan during the summer of 2018, after her wedding to Prince Harry, and that it contributed to her decision to end contact with her father.
Because the specific allegations have not been publicly disclosed by ITV, they should not be presented as established facts about Thomas.
Philippine Authorities Investigate Allegations Involving Thomas Markle’s Former Home
Separate allegations emerged after Thomas Markle’s son, Thomas Markle Jr, reportedly discovered material at his father’s former home in Cebu, Philippines.
Markle Jr told the Sun that he found a substantial quantity of alleged child sexual abuse material while clearing boxes at the property. He reportedly notified Philippine authorities and contacted the US Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Philippine authorities subsequently confirmed that an investigation was underway.
Nicholas Ty, the Philippine Justice Department undersecretary responsible for the country’s anti-trafficking efforts, told Reuters that the Anti-Trafficking and Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children task force in Cebu was investigating the matter.
The allegations concern material reportedly found at the former property. The investigation has not established publicly that Thomas Markle committed a criminal offence.
Police examine a laptop recovered from the property
The investigation progressed to the examination of digital evidence after authorities reportedly inspected Thomas’s former home and recovered a laptop.
Philippine Interior Secretary Juanito Victor “Jonvic” Remulla said police had inspected the property and recovered the laptop along with material authorities were examining.
On October 25, Remulla told Agence France-Presse that the device was undergoing forensic examination and that fuller results were expected within approximately a week.
He said:
“The laptop is currently going under forensic investigation and we will have the full results in one week.”
Remulla also said Philippine authorities would coordinate with counterparts abroad and take appropriate legal action if sufficient evidence were found to support a charge.
The forensic examination is expected to help investigators assess what the digital evidence contains, how it became associated with the property or devices, and whether it provides evidence of an offence.
The recovery of a laptop or alleged material does not, by itself, establish who possessed, accessed, created or distributed it. Those questions remain part of the investigation.
Philippine Police Coordinate With UK and US Authorities
By October 25, the Philippine National Police had confirmed that it was coordinating with foreign law-enforcement authorities over the investigation.
PNP chief General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr said the matter involved cross-border issues and digital evidence. He said Philippine authorities would coordinate with agencies in the United Kingdom and the United States.
He also said police would pursue appropriate cases if evidence established involvement in the online exploitation of minors.
The three countries have different roles in the developing story. Philippine authorities are investigating allegations connected to the former Cebu property. The FBI has acknowledged awareness of the allegations and said it would provide support to Philippine authorities as appropriate.
The Metropolitan Police, meanwhile, is reviewing its handling of the earlier letter rather than investigating Thomas Markle for the alleged conduct itself.
Thomas Markle Denies the Allegations
Thomas Markle has denied the allegations against him.
In an interview with the Daily Mail, he denied possessing child sexual abuse material and denied having sex with underage girls. He described the allegations as “sick lies.”
He has acknowledged paying for sex during visits to the Philippines but has denied that any of the women involved were underage.
His statements remain denials of the allegations, and they should be considered separately from the evidence investigators are examining.
As of the latest reporting described here, Thomas Markle has not been found guilty of the alleged offences. Philippine authorities have not publicly announced an investigative conclusion establishing criminal responsibility.
Thomas Markle Jr Apologises to Meghan Markle
Thomas Markle Jr has also spoken publicly about the family dispute, describing a change in his position following the emergence of the current allegations.
Meghan’s half-brother previously supported their father during the years of estrangement between Meghan and Thomas Markle. He has since apologised to Meghan and said he now believed he had supported the wrong person.
He told the Sun:
“I now know I have been protecting the wrong person for the past nine years.”
His comments add another dimension to the family story, but they do not independently prove the allegations against his father. The outcome will depend on what the Philippine investigation and forensic examination establish.
Why Meghan Markle and Thomas Markle Have Been Estranged Since 2018
The latest developments have renewed attention on a family dispute that became public around Meghan’s wedding to Prince Harry in May 2018.
Thomas Markle was originally expected to attend the wedding at Windsor Castle but ultimately withdrew after a period of controversy, citing health problems.
King Charles III, then Prince Charles, walked Meghan down part of the aisle at St George’s Chapel.
The relationship between Meghan and her father deteriorated further after the wedding. According to longstanding reporting, Thomas Markle has never met Prince Harry or Meghan’s children, Archie and Lilibet.
Meghan and Harry stepped back from their roles as working members of the royal family in 2020 and moved to the United States before later returning to Britain for a series of engagements.
The current allegations have brought renewed scrutiny to the reasons behind Meghan’s decision to maintain the estrangement. However, the current Philippine investigation should not be treated as proof that it explains every aspect of their relationship.
Meghan says she was made aware of disturbing allegations years earlier and that protecting her children was the reason she chose to prevent her father from having contact with them.
Thomas Markle’s Health Problems and Meghan’s Earlier Contact
Thomas Markle, now 82, has experienced significant health problems in recent years. He suffered strokes and subsequently underwent an amputation of his left leg following complications involving a blood clot.
He had been living in the Philippines and later returned to the United States. Recent reports have said he is receiving rehabilitation and undergoing physiotherapy after the amputation.
The reported final letter was sent while he was receiving treatment in the Philippines. Its timing is significant because it reportedly marked the end of direct communication rather than a new decision made after the current investigation became public.
The Guardian reported that Meghan’s spokesperson confirmed in 2025 that the Duchess had privately reached out to Thomas while he was seriously unwell and hospitalised.
That contact appears to have occurred despite the broader estrangement. The reported final letter therefore followed a period in which Meghan had still made at least some private effort to communicate with her father.
The exact extent of their private communication has not been publicly disclosed.
What Is Confirmed and What Remains Unproven?
The developing story involves official police statements, media reports, personal accounts and allegations that remain under investigation.
The Metropolitan Police has confirmed receiving the earlier letter in January 2019, reviewing it and passing it to the Sussexes’ office for their awareness. The force has also confirmed that it did not share the details with other law-enforcement agencies at the time and is reviewing its handling of the matter.
Meghan has publicly said she was informed about allegations concerning her father and chose to prevent him from contacting her children to protect them. Her reported final letter in December 2025 is described by media sources as the last communication she intended to have with him.
Separately, Philippine authorities are investigating allegations involving alleged child sexual abuse material reportedly found at Thomas’s former home in Cebu. Police have recovered a laptop for forensic examination and confirmed coordination with foreign counterparts. The FBI is aware of the allegations and has indicated that it will support Philippine authorities as appropriate.
Thomas Markle denies possessing the alleged material and denies having sex with underage girls. No court finding has established that he committed the alleged offences, and the existence of the earlier police letter does not prove the claims it contained.
Likewise, the reported discovery of alleged material at a former residence does not, on its own, establish who possessed or accessed it or who may be legally responsible.
Conclusion
Meghan Markle’s reported final letter to Thomas Markle has renewed attention on a family estrangement that stretches back to 2018. Her public statement says that protecting Archie and Lilibet was the reason she chose to keep her father away, while the Metropolitan Police’s confirmation of the earlier letter has raised questions about how that correspondence was handled.
The separate Philippine investigation remains ongoing, with forensic examination of a recovered laptop expected to provide further information. Thomas Markle denies the allegations, and no finding of criminal guilt has been made.
For now, the reported contents of the personal letter, the police review and the Philippine investigation remain distinct parts of a developing story. Any further conclusions must depend on evidence established through the appropriate investigative and legal processes.
The Background to Harry and Meghan’s Royal Exit
The couple’s decision to step back from royal duties remains a major part of their public story. Explore our coverage of the controversy surrounding their royal exit for further context.
Source and Research Disclaimer
This article has been prepared based on thorough research of the sources provided below, including reporting from Reuters, the Associated Press, CBS News, ITV News, ABC News Australia, GMA News, SunStar, People, The Independent and The Guardian. It reflects the information available in those sources at the time of writing and does not imply independent verification beyond the material provided. Allegations remain unproven unless established through the appropriate investigative or legal process.
Sources
- Reuters: UK’s Met police says it sent allegations letter to Meghan and not other forces
- Associated Press: UK police says letter with claims against Meghan’s father was not shared with other law enforcement
- CBS News: Meghan says she heard disturbing allegations about her father in 2018
- ITV News: Letter sent to Meghan containing claims about her father
- ABC News Australia: Met Police confirms 2019 letter about Thomas Markle
- GMA News: Philippine police examining laptop found at Thomas Markle’s former home
- SunStar: Philippine National Police coordinates with foreign counterparts on Markle investigation
- People: Meghan told Thomas Markle she knew about allegations in final letter
- The Independent: Meghan cut off contact with her father last year over allegations
- The Guardian: Allegations against Thomas Markle challenge the public narrative around Meghan’s estrangement
Featured Image Credit: Genevieve / derivative work: Firebrace / CC BY 2.0 / Wikimedia Commons
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