Meghan broke contact with father in letter citing abuse claims
The Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, has officially cut ties with her father, Thomas Markle, following allegations of child abuse. Meghan informed her father in a letter that he would no longer have contact with her or his grandchildren.
Why it matters
This development marks a definitive end to a high-profile family estrangement involving serious criminal allegations and royal family dynamics.
Image source, Getty Images By Daniela Relph , senior royal correspondent and Harry Sekulich Published 25 October 2026, 01:44 GMT Updated 5 hours ago The Duchess of Sussex broke contact with her father last year, telling him she and the authorities knew he had abused young girls, the BBC understands.
Sources close to the duchess said Meghan warned Thomas Markle in a letter that he would never meet his grandchildren.
It is understood the letter was sent to Markle, 82, while he was in hospital in the Philippines after having his leg amputated.
It has been reported that images of child sexual abuse allegedly belonging to Markle had been found in his former home in the Philippines and UK police in 2019 told Meghan about claims of abuse against him. Markle, who is based in the US, denies all such allegations.
Headlinne story · 7 newsrooms
British Police Reviewed Thomas Markle Allegations in 2019 Without Sharing Data
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Also covering this story
10 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
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UK police says letter with claims against Meghan's father was not shared with other law enforcement - AP News
Meghan broke contact with father in letter citing abuse claims - BBC
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