Meghan Markle's half-brother named person of interest in child abuse probe

Meghan Markle's half-brother, Thomas Markle Jr., has been named a person of interest in the child abuse investigation that originally targeted their father, Thomas Markle Sr.

Philippine Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla announced the development on Thursday, November 5, 2026.

"There are signs that point that the son is involved in the crime as well but only as a person of interest so far," Remulla told reporters.

Thomas Markle Jr., 60, is not a criminal suspect at this stage.

The investigation began in October 2026, when Thomas Jr. approached Philippine authorities claiming he had discovered suspected child sexual abuse material among belongings associated with his father.

He handed over electronic devices and other items to police in Cebu, a province in the central Philippines.

Those devices contained more than 7,000 photos and one video depicting underage males and females of Asian, Latin and European descent, Remulla said.

Some of the children in the images were as young as 10 and 11 years old.

Remulla described the material as "the most deplorable displays of impunity towards sexual activity that I have ever seen."

Philippine National Police Chief Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. confirmed on Wednesday that child sexual abuse material had been found on a mobile phone and three memory cards handed over by Thomas Jr.

Authorities are also investigating a laptop discovered at a property believed to be Thomas Sr.'s former residence.

Thomas Markle Sr., 82, has not been charged with any crime.

Neither Thomas Jr. nor his father have been found responsible for the alleged offenses.

Investigators have not yet established who owned or controlled the electronic devices containing the material.

The case took a new turn when Remulla announced that witnesses had come forward with information about Thomas Jr.

"We have a witness [who says] underage girls were being brought to his house," Remulla said.

"We will investigate whether the son was involved in the crime."

Authorities have not established whether those alleged visits involved criminal conduct or whether they were connected to the material recovered during the investigation.

Remulla explained that police were examining the possibility of other individuals being involved rather than limiting their inquiries to Thomas Sr.

"To accuse the father only is only half the police work," he said.

Thomas Jr. remains in the Philippines.

He also contacted the FBI, requesting an investigation into two storage units in Los Angeles.

This came days after a raid by Mexican police on a storage unit Thomas Sr. is said to have rented near his former home in Rosarito, Mexico.

A spokesman for Meghan Markle declined to comment on the developments.

The Duchess of Sussex has had a strained relationship with her father and half-brother for many years.

Thomas Markle Sr. did not attend Meghan's wedding to Prince Harry in May 2018.

Thomas Markle Jr. has publicly criticized Meghan in the past, including writing an open letter to Prince Harry before the wedding.

The investigation is still in its early stages.

Remulla said authorities would know more "in the next few days."

Philippine officials are seeking assistance from the FBI to help establish who owned the devices and to trace the origins of the material.

Remulla said "appropriate legal actions" would be taken should sufficient evidence be found.

The case has drawn international attention due to the Markle family's connection to the British royal family.

Meghan and Prince Harry currently live in Montecito, California, with their two children, Archie and Lilibet.

Neither Meghan nor Harry has made any public statement about the investigation.

The investigation is being conducted by Philippine national police in coordination with international authorities.

Child sexual abuse material is illegal in the Philippines under Republic Act 9775, the Anti-Child Pornography Act of 2009.