The key facts

  • Thomas Markle Jr. is named a person of interest to the investigation but is not yet a suspect
  • The case against the father was opened by the son himself, who reported finding prohibited materials in the house in the Philippines
  • Meghan Markle said she was not surprised by the accusations and is concerned about the affected children

Meghan Markle's half-brother has come under investigators' scrutiny

The investigation into child pornography possession opened around Thomas Markle Sr. — the father of the Duchess of Sussex — has produced data on the possible involvement of his son, Thomas Markle Jr. This is reported by PageSix citing the progress of the investigation. According to available information, witnesses are prepared to confirm that underage girls were brought to Thomas Markle Jr.'s home.

Status in the case: person of interest

The Philippine Interior Minister stated that 'there are signs that the son may also be involved,' but emphasized that for now he is listed only as a person of interest to the investigation and is not yet being treated as a suspect. Thus, the expansion of the circle of figures in the case does not yet mean that charges have been brought against Thomas Markle Jr.

How the scandal unfolded

On October 23, The Sun reportedthat Thomas Markle Sr. is under investigation on suspicion of possessing child pornography. The accusations against him were made by his own son: according to him, in his father's house in the Philippines he found 'hundreds, if not thousands' of prohibited images in four large boxes, as well as video recordings featuring girls no older than 10–11 years old. Notably, the initiative for the investigation came from Thomas Markle Jr. himself — the very person who now appears in the case as a person of interest to the investigation.

Meghan Markle's reaction

Meghan Markle, according to press reports, hinted that she was not surprised by the accusations against her fatherand stressed that she is concerned about the affected children. Earlier, she had spoken about child pornography found at her father's and said she had protected children from him. It is worth noting that publications describe the Duchess's role in bringing the accusations differently: in some reports the accusations are attributed to her brother, while in others Meghan Markle herself spoke about the discovery — these versions from sources have not been reconciled.