Meghan Markle reportedly feels a “real sense of relief” that disturbing allegations against her estranged father, Thomas Markle Sr., are now being “properly investigated” — years after she first became aware of them.
A source close to the Duchess of Sussex, who is reportedly “speaking with her blessing,” told the Sun Friday that she is “utterly devastated” by the allegations that her father possessed child sexual abuse material.
“As a mom of young children herself, she is utterly devastated by all of this,” the insider said.
“Above all, her thoughts are with any children who may have been harmed. Their welfare and protection have to come first.”
The source added that “after so many years of living with deeply troubling concerns,” Meghan, 45, feels a “real sense of relief” that the allegations against Thomas Sr., 82, are “being properly investigated.”
The insider also shed light on why the former “Suits” actress remained publicly silent about the allegations for years.
“She has been guided by legal advice about what she could say publicly and has had to live with the frustration of not being able to speak openly, while trusting that the appropriate authorities would do their job,” the source explained.
“It is a shame it has taken this long for these concerns to receive this level of attention, but she does want to acknowledge and thank the Sun for shining a light on the issues and helping bring the protection of children into sharper focus.”
The insider emphasized that protecting “vulnerable children” and ensuring “any concerns are properly investigated” remain Meghan’s top priorities.
Page Six reached out to Meghan’s rep for comment but did not immediately hear back.
Thomas Sr. is currently under investigation by police in Cebu City, Philippines, after his son, Thomas Markle Jr., allegedly discovered child sexual abuse material in his home and handed it over to local authorities.
According to the Sun, which first reported the allegations, the images — some of which allegedly depicted girls aged 10 or 11 engaging in “sex acts” — were found in storage boxes among family “mementos.”
In a statement to Page Six on Friday, Meghan said she was “deeply distressed” by the allegations.
She also revealed that similar “troubling and disturbing allegations” against her father — detailed in a letter received by her office — contributed to their estrangement.
Although Meghan’s representatives initially said the letter was received in 2018, London’s Metropolitan Police confirmed Saturday that it was actually sent to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s office in January 2019.
The letter accused Thomas Sr. of sexually abusing a child and alleged that he had admitted to traveling to the Philippines and Thailand to abuse children.
Thomas Sr. has vehemently denied the allegations, blasting his son’s claims as “sick lies.”
“I’m shocked, I’m hurt and I’m very upset that my son is making these accusations against me,” he told the Daily Mail Friday.
Thomas Jr., meanwhile, called his father’s denial “incredible” in an interview with the Sun published Friday.
“I’m sure the huge piles of evidence I’ve taken to the police today will reveal the truth once the police experts examine it,” he added.
