Meghan Markle reported distress about allegations involving her father, Thomas Markle Sr., and child abuse imagery during an ongoing investigation.

Meghan Markle and her father, Thomas Markle Sr., have experienced a strained public relationship since 2018. Thomas Markle Sr. missed his daughter's wedding to Prince Harry in 2018, citing health concerns. Public disputes followed the ceremony and increased the distance between the two. The unit shared a report with the Duchess of Sussex. Thomas Markle Sr. has not met his grandchildren. These events provide background for the current investigation by authorities in the Philippines.

1. The Philippines' justice department has initiated a formal investigation into the allegations. They have tasked a specialized human trafficking and child sexual exploitation taskforce based in Cebu to examine the claims made by Thomas Markle Jr. regarding devices found at his father's former residence.

2. The Metropolitan Police are conducting internal inquiries into how officers handled information about Thomas Markle Sr. The force is investigating whether officers from the Royalty and Specialist Protection command passed a letter of allegations to the Duchess in 2018.

3. Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, addressed the allegations publicly. She stated she is 'deeply distressed' by their nature. She confirmed that information from the Metropolitan Police in 2018 influenced her decision to keep her children away from her father.

1. Thomas Markle Sr. has categorically denied the allegations of possessing child sexual abuse images. He described the accusations made by his son as 'sick lies' in response to the reports emerging from the Philippines.

2. Samantha Markle, the half-sister of the Duchess, defended their father against the claims. She alleged that Thomas Markle Jr. fabricated the accusations to secure money after Thomas Markle Sr. stopped providing him with funds.