Thomas Markle Sr., the father of Meghan Markle, was taken into custody by the FBI in Florida on Nov. 6 on suspicion of possessing child sex abuse materials, according to a release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office. The arrest makes Thomas Markle arrested in a federal case that carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison if he is convicted.
The charge against the 82-year-old is one count of possession of child pornography. Federal prosecutors allege that materials found in two storage units he rented in the Los Angeles area since 2008 included sexually explicit photographs of himself with prepubescent girls. Thomas was expected to make his first court appearance the same day, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.
Prosecutors Vow Full Enforcement
First Assistant United States Attorney Bill Essayl described the allegations as extremely serious and said the office would pursue the case to the fullest extent of federal law. In the statement, Essayl said Thomas is accused of possessing child sexual abuse material that included photographs depicting himself with minor girls.
Arrest at Florida Care Home
The arrest reportedly took place at the Florida care home where Thomas has been living since he underwent a leg amputation in December 2025, according to The Sun, which cited footage obtained at the scene. Photos published by the outlet showed a wheelchair-bound Thomas in handcuffs. Efforts to reach a representative or attorney for Thomas for comment were unsuccessful.
Son's Allegations Preceded Arrest
The federal arrest came weeks after Thomas’s son, Thomas Markle Jr., Meghan’s half-brother, accused their father of possessing child sex abuse materials. Thomas Jr. said he found the material at his father’s house in the Philippines. Thomas denied the allegations at the time, telling the Daily Mail on Oct. 23 that he was shocked, hurt and upset by his son’s claims. He said he could never do what he was accused of and called the allegations lies, adding that he did not understand why his son was trying to destroy him.
Samantha Markle, Thomas’s daughter and his caretaker in Florida, also rejected the accusations. She said there was no merit to what she called disgusting allegations and criticized her brother for making them up, saying he wanted to destroy their father.
The FBI had confirmed its involvement in the investigation at the time, stating it would provide support as appropriate to Philippine authorities and would also investigate any related allegations of federal violations of U.S. law.
Meghan Markle Says She Was 'Deeply Distressed'
Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, said in a statement that she was deeply distressed over the allegations and that her thoughts were with any children who may have been harmed. The 45-year-old, who shares two children with Prince Harry, also offered insight into what she had previously been told.
She said a letter was sent in 2018 to the Metropolitan Police and Royalty and Specialist Protection and was subsequently shared with her. According to Meghan, the letter contained troubling and disturbing allegations against her father, and she was given assurances that they were being investigated. She did not specify the allegations.
Meghan said the matter was a large reason she has been estranged from Thomas in recent years. She expressed hope that it can now be understood that, despite what she described as distortion by certain media publications over the years, any distance from her father and her choice not to allow him contact with her children was for one reason: to protect them.
She added that the breadth of what has now been uncovered is more sickening than one could ever imagine and that the priority remains the safety and protection of innocent children.
