Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have reportedly left the United Kingdom with their children as Meghan’s father, Thomas Markle Sr., faces an investigation into child pornography allegations. The news of the investigation in the Philippines broke on Thursday.
A friend close to Meghan told Hello! Magazine that the Duchess of Sussex is “really, really upset” by the allegations. The friend stated that Meghan and Harry took their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, out of the country, though their destination remains undisclosed. "She keeps on looking at Lili and she’s in tears, and thinking about all the children, the alleged victims," the insider said, adding, "She has young children herself. It’s just devastating."
According to the friend, Meghan had decided to distance herself from the media for her mental health prior to the news becoming public. However, she has been receiving messages of sympathy from friends. The representative for the couple was not immediately available for comment.
The couple's departure follows reports that Thomas Sr. is being investigated for possessing what are described as "hundreds, if not thousands" of child sex abuse images allegedly discovered at his home in the Philippines by his son, Thomas Jr. The Sun reported that Thomas Jr. claimed he found the images in boxes and turned them over to local authorities.
Meghan addressed the allegations in a statement to Page Six on Friday, expressing her "deeply distressed" reaction. She stated that she learned of the alleged wrongdoings in 2018, the same year she married Prince Harry. At that time, she was informed the allegations were under investigation, which led to her estrangement from her father. Thomas Sr. was notably absent from the royal wedding.
Meghan wrote in her final letter to Thomas Sr. in December 2025, during his recovery from a leg amputation, that he would not meet her children or hear from her again. Sources also told Page Six that Thomas Sr.'s late first wife, Roslyn Loveless, detailed his alleged abuse in a 2019 letter that was sent to London's Metropolitan Police and later forwarded to Meghan.
Thomas Sr. has denied the allegations, calling them "sick lies" in an interview with the Daily Mail. His daughter, Samantha Markle, has also defended him, suggesting Thomas Jr. fabricated the claims as retaliation for being financially cut off.
In separate news, Meghan is set to appear as a special guest on "Junior MasterChef Australia," which is returning after a six-year hiatus. She expressed excitement about the opportunity, stating, "I love cooking with my own kids, so seeing what these young stars create in the kitchen is going to be a lot of fun. I can’t wait to see what they cook up!"