Meghan Markle's father Thomas arrested in Florida over child sexual abuse material

The 82-year-old is accused of possessing sexually explicit photographs involving underage girls, including images allegedly depicting him with prepubescent minors, according to federal prosecutors.

First Assistant US Attorney Bill Essayli, who heads the Los Angeles-based US Attorney's office, said the allegations involved photographs depicting Markle with minor girls.

78 items seized from storage units

According to the DOJ, investigators recovered approximately 78 items, including photographic slides, film negatives and books containing suspected child sexual abuse material.

The material was reportedly discovered in two storage units in the Los Angeles area that Markle had rented for nearly two decades.

Federal investigators said two photographs showed a man, identified by a witness as Markle, with a nude prepubescent girl.

Another image reportedly depicted a nude girl inside a room believed to be part of a motel chain in the Philippines.

Markle is expected to make his initial appearance in federal court on Friday. He has not yet entered a plea. If convicted, he could face a maximum statutory sentence of 20 years in federal prison.

Allegations first surfaced in the Philippines

The arrest follows allegations that emerged in October, when Markle's son, Thomas Markle Jr., told Britain's The Sun newspaper that he had discovered a collection of indecent images involving underage children.

According to the report, the material was found in storage boxes and on computer hard drives at his father's residence in the Philippines. Markle Jr. said he had reported the discovery to authorities in the country as well as US officials.

The Philippines Justice Department's child abuse unit subsequently confirmed to CNN that the matter was under investigation.

The FBI had also acknowledged awareness of the allegations involving Markle Sr., a US citizen, and said it would support Philippine authorities while investigating any potential violations of US federal law.

Thomas Markle had denied allegations

Markle had strongly denied the accusations in an interview with Britain's Daily Mail newspaper.

"I'm shocked, I'm hurt and I'm very upset that my son is making these accusations against me," he said.

He also claimed that the computer equipment in question had not been in his possession since he left Mexico with his son in 2025.

Meghan previously expressed distress

The developments have also drawn attention because of Markle's estranged relationship with his daughter, Meghan.

In October, the Duchess of Sussex said she was "deeply distressed" following reports about the alleged collection of child sexual abuse images involving her father.

Thomas Markle has been estranged from Meghan for years and did not attend her 2018 wedding to Britain's Prince Harry.

When approached for comment following his arrest, a spokesperson for Meghan told CNN that the Duchess had no comment at this time.

The case is now expected to proceed through the US federal court system.