Thomas Markle Snr, the 82-year-old father of the Duchess of Sussex, has been arrested by the FBI in Florida on federal charges related to the possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
Markle, who moved to the Philippines in 2025 following a series of health complications, is currently residing in a rehabilitation centre in Florida. Photographs released to US media show the octogenarian being taken into custody by federal agents while seated in a wheelchair.
According to a formal statement released by the US Attorney’s Office, Markle faces one count of possession of child pornography. Federal investigators allege that Markle maintained two storage units in the Los Angeles area for nearly two decades, where he reportedly stored a cache of illicit materials.
“FBI special agents searched two storage units registered to Markle,” the statement read. “Inside the units, agents seized approximately 78 items, including slides, film negatives, and books that contained suspected CSAM. The affidavit describes three of those images. Two images depict an adult man—whom a witness identified as Markle—with a nude prepubescent girl.”
The discovery of the materials follows an investigation triggered by Markle’s son, Thomas Markle Jr. Reports indicate that the younger Markle contacted the FBI in July after discovering a stash of disturbing images at his father’s former residence in the Philippines. Police in the Philippines have also been granted a court warrant to examine additional digital devices and hard drives provided by Thomas Markle Jr.
As the investigation unfolds, Thomas Markle Jr. has himself been named a “person of interest” by authorities, though the specifics of that status remain under seal. Markle Snr has vehemently denied all allegations brought against him. He is expected to make an initial appearance in court in the Middle District of Florida in Tampa later today.
The news has reignited scrutiny of the fractured relationship between the Duchess of Sussex and her father. In light of the arrest, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, issued a statement expressing that she was “deeply distressed” by the allegations.
The Duchess referenced a previously undisclosed letter sent to London police in 2018 containing “troubling and disturbing allegations” regarding her father. “I was given assurances that these were being investigated,” she stated. “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.”
Representatives for the Sussexes declined to comment further on the ongoing federal proceedings. Sky News has reached out to Thomas Markle Jr. for comment regarding his involvement as a person of interest in the case.
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