Meghan's father arrested in Florida

Thomas Markle Sr., the 82-year-old estranged father of Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, was arrested Friday at a senior care facility in Polk County, Florida. Federal authorities charged him with possessing child sexual abuse material stored in units in the Los Angeles area.

Video shared by The Daily Mail showed Markle in a wheelchair wearing handcuffs as federal agents transported him via ambulance. First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli said agents seized approximately 78 items from the storage facilities. The collection included slides, film negatives, and books containing suspected images of child sexual abuse.

An FBI affidavit filed in court indicates some images appear to depict Markle with children. Essayli stated the allegations are extremely serious and that the office intends to prosecute Markle to the fullest extent of federal law. Phone and email messages seeking comment from his court-appointed attorney were not immediately returned.

The investigation began after Meghan’s half brother, Thomas Markle Jr., reported finding a collection of such images while clearing their father’s home in the Philippines. Markle Jr. told The Sun he discovered hundreds, if not thousands, of images in boxes at his father’s residence in Cebu City. He reported the find to local police and contacted the FBI. Markle Jr. said he has supported his father for years but will not speak to him again unless called to give evidence.

Markle has rented the two Los Angeles storage units since 2008. He was living in the Philippines earlier this year when he suffered a stroke and had his left leg amputated. The medical event forced his return to the United States. Essayli noted there is no evidence of victims in the United States based on the seized material, though the investigation remains ongoing.

Markle appeared in federal court in Tampa following his arrest. U.S. Magistrate Judge Lindsay Griffin released him back to the senior care center with the condition that he be electronically monitored. Griffin also ordered a psychiatric exam, citing concerns that Markle might be unable to understand the proceedings or properly assist his lawyer.

Meghan recently described herself as deeply distressed by the allegations. She revealed that a letter containing troubling allegations about her father was sent to police in London in 2019. Meghan said she was given assurances the matter was being investigated. She explained that her distance from her father and choice not to allow him contact with their children was to protect them.

Harry and Meghan stepped back from royal duties when they moved to California in 2020. They returned to the United Kingdom in August, but King Charles III stated their status as non-working members of the royal family had not changed. Markle, a retired television lighting and photography director, did not attend the 2018 wedding at Windsor Castle after a staged photo scandal.

Court hearings for the case are expected to move to California. The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Los Angeles said those proceedings likely will not happen for several weeks at least.