Meghan Markle's Father Arrested

Thomas Markle Sr., father of Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, was arrested in Florida on Friday. The detention is part of an investigation into alleged possession of child sex abuse materials.

The case remains under seal, according to three sources familiar with the matter who spoke to CBS News. Markle had previously faced scrutiny in the Philippines for the same alleged offense last month. In that earlier incident, Philippine National Police launched an inquiry after Markle's son, Thomas Markle Jr., surrendered the elder Markle's personal items to authorities.

Markle has consistently denied the allegations. He described the claims as "sick lies" and told the Daily Mail, "I have never downloaded anything like that in my life." In a statement sent to CBS News, Meghan said she has known about the allegations since 2018. She stated that the information was shared with U.K. authorities at that time.

Meghan explained that the knowledge of these allegations led her and Prince Harry to restrict her father's contact with their children, Archie and Lilibet. "I hope it can now be understood that.. 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," she wrote.

In December 2025, the Daily Mail published video showing Markle in a U.S. hospital room accepting a letter from his daughter. The British tabloid reported that the letter stated authorities knew he had "abused young girls" and that he would never meet the children. BBC News also reported last year that Meghan had discussed the allegations.

Roya Nikkah, a CBS News contributor and royal editor for The Sunday Times, said on X that Meghan is not likely to comment at this time. CBS News has reached out to a spokesperson for the duchess regarding the Florida arrest. The next scheduled step in the Florida case is currently unclear as the matter remains sealed.

Markle is currently in custody in Florida while the investigation proceeds. The Philippine investigation was initiated after the handover of his personal effects by his son.