Meghan Markle says there's a reason she's kept her children, Archie and Lilibet, away from her father, Thomas Markle Sr.
Thomas Sr. was accused of possessing child sexual abuse material by his son, Thomas Markle Jr., the Duchess of Sussex’s half-brother, according to a report published by The Sun Thursday.
Thomas Jr. allegedly found the material in Thomas Sr.'s home in Cebu, Philippines, and reported it to police and the FBI.
On Friday, Meghan responded to the allegations in a statement shared with Fox News Digital.
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"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," her statement began.
"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.
"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.
"I trusted that the authorities were doing the same for other families," the statement continued.
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"Although the breadth of what has now been uncovered is more sickening than one could ever imagine, my sincerest hope is that justice will be fully served and that the priority remains the safety and protection of innocent children," the statement concluded.
London's Metropolitan Police said it is not investigating Thomas Markle Sr. but is conducting internal inquiries into the handling of the 2018 letter, according to The Independent.
Meghan shares Archie, 7, and Lilibet, 5, with Prince Harry. Her father has never met the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s children.
The FBI National Press Office said in a statement to Fox News Digital Friday that the bureau would assist Philippine authorities in their investigation.
"The FBI is aware of the allegations and will provide support, as appropriate, to the Philippine authorities. We will also investigate any related allegations of federal violations of U.S. law," the statement said.
According to Reuters, Philippine Justice Undersecretary Nicholas Ty confirmed on Friday that a task force investigating human trafficking and online child sexual abuse in Cebu "is currently investigating the matter."
Thomas Sr. denied the allegations to the Daily Mail.
"I’m shocked, I’m hurt and I’m very upset that my son is making these accusations against me. I could never do what I’m being accused of. It’s the worst thing anyone could accuse me of," he told the outlet Friday.
"This is bulls---," Thomas Sr. added. "It’s just a bunch of lies. It’s sick. I have no idea why Tom is trying to destroy me with these lies."
Thomas Jr. told The Sun he found suspected child sexual abuse material in four large boxes, containing "hundreds, if not thousands" of images. He also said he found videos of young girls no older than 10 or 11 years old engaging in sexual acts.
He also told the outlet he found four images of nude girls, one of which appeared to have been taken at Thomas Sr.'s former home in Rosarito, Mexico.
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"What I saw made me sick to the stomach. All this stuff was just dumped on me, and I didn’t know what to do. I knew right away it was highly illegal and would land me in jail for a long time if I didn’t get rid of it. I felt betrayed, angry and disgusted and realized I had to report him," Thomas Jr. told The Sun.
"When I found this material, I was horrified, and I had no option but to report my dad."
Thomas Jr. said he reported the alleged child sexual abuse material to the FBI hotline and the Pennsylvania State Police. According to The Sun, the FBI "confirmed receipt" of Thomas Jr.'s allegations and is "set to launch their own probe."
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"I have supported, cared for him and helped him for years, but that stops now," Thomas Jr. told The Sun.
Thomas Jr. has been caring for Thomas Sr., 82, for several years, including during his recovery from a stroke in 2022.
"I won’t speak to my father ever again unless I’m called to give evidence against him," Thomas Jr. told the outlet.