Meghan Markle’s relationship with her embattled father is being reconsidered in light of allegations that Thomas Markle indulged in the exploitation of minors.
The 45-year-old Duchess of Sussex’s 2018 wedding to Prince Harry captured the public imagination for several reasons, including the fact that the bride’s father wasn’t there.
Thomas told TMZ before the ceremony that he’d been recently released from a hospital after suffering a heart attack and planned to travel to England to give his daughter away.
The pair had reportedly become estranged in light of dramas including the revelation that Thomas was paid for staged photos showing him preparing for the wedding.
Meghan’s dealings with her dad have become a topic of conversation again in recent days following reports that Thomas Markle Jr has allegedly notified authorities after discovering video and photos of child exploitation in his father’s home in the Philippines while Thomas was hospitalised earlier this year.
Officials in the Philippines confirmed Sunday (Oct 25) that an investigation is underway.
Philippine Interior Minister Jonvic Remulla told The Guardian on Sunday that “all signs point to a possible sex offender of the grossest kind.”
What exactly Meghan knew about her father’s alleged proclivity at the time of her wedding isn’t clear.
Some gossips on social media have wondered if Meghan’s critics rushed to judgment. Media outlets like Good Morning Britain note that Thomas has denied wrongdoing, though their reporting on the royal’s dad has taken a hard look at the 82-year-old suspect.
That outlet – which hasn’t always been sympathetic to Meghan – reported on Monday that she wrote to her dad in 2025 after he suffered a stroke in the Philippines.
She reportedly told him he would have no contact with his grandchildren. The letter is also said to have informed Thomas that Meghan was aware of the allegations against him.
Prince Harry and Meghan recently moved their young son and daughter to Britain after having lived in the US for six years. Harry told GQ magazine that he and his wife felt their children would have better lives living near his family in a place where he and his wife will have help raising them.
Meghan topped a crowdsourced vote on “The Most Disliked Celebrity” published by Ranker in July. – New York Daily News/Tribune News Service
