Thomas Markle Sr. is seen on a photoshoot on August 10, 2018 in San Diego, California. (Photo by MEGA/GC Images)
Meghan Markle's estranged father has been arrested in Florida, according to FOX News, TMZ, and the AP, citing law enforcement sources.
What we know:
Thomas Markle Sr. was reportedly arrested by the FBI on Friday at a senior living facility in Lakeland, Florida, TMZ reported. He was reportedly arrested on charges related to the possession of child sexual abuse material.
Sources told the AP that Markle Sr. was arrested near Tampa.
What we don't know:
FOX 13 has reached out to the FBI in Florida for additional information.
The backstory:
Thomas Markle Sr. reportedly under investigation in Philippines and Mexico
People walk on November 1st, 2026 inside a storage facility where Mexican authorities seized a storage unit with belongings of US Thomas Markle, father of the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, during a search for alleged child sexual abuse material,
Thomas Markle Sr. has reportedly been under investigation in both the Philippines and Mexico after child sex abuse material was allegedly found in a home and storage unit tied to him, TMZ, the Daily Mail, and other outlets have reported.
Meghan Markle says allegations against her father "deeply disturbing"
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex departs The Community Recording Studio (CRS), a youth and community charity, during her and Prince Harry's visit to Nottingham on October 15, 2026 in Nottingham, England. (Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)
What they're saying:
Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, who is married to Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, called the allegations against her father "deeply disturbing" in a statement last week to FOX News.
What they're saying:
"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," she said.
"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."
"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.
The Source: This story uses information reported by FOX News, TMZ, and The Daily Mail.