Meghan Markle ‘deeply distressed’ by allegation her father had child abuse images

said she had previously been assured that allegations made against her father were being investigated by authorities

Meghan Markle meets volunteer first responders from Bondi Surf Bathers' Life Saving Club, during a visit to Bondi Beach, on day four of the royal trip to Australia. Picture: PA

Britain’s Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle has said she is “deeply distressed” by allegations that her father had a hoard of child sexual abuse images.

Her brother, Thomas Markle Jnr, alleged that he had found a stash of images belonging to their father, Thomas Markle Snr, at his former home in the Philippines, The Sun reported.

In an interview with the Daily Mail, Thomas Snr denied possessing child sexual abuse images, describing the accusations as “sick lies”.

In a statement first reported by The Sun and issued to the Press Association, Meghan said: “I am deeply distressed at the news that has come to light in the last 24 hours, and my thoughts are with any children who may have been harmed.

“In 2018, a letter was sent to the Metropolitan Police and Royalty and Specialist Protection. That letter was subsequently shared with me.

“It made troubling and disturbing allegations against my father and I was given assurances that these were being investigated.

“I hope it can now be understood that, despite certain media publications’ distortion over the years, 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.

“I trusted that the authorities were doing the same for other families.

“Although the breadth of what has now been uncovered is more sickening than one could ever imagine, my sincerest hope is that justice will be fully served and that the priority remains the safety and protection of innocent children.”