Thomas Markle, the estranged father of Meghan Markle, has been seen in public for the first time since reports emerged about allegedly disturbing material discovered in a storage unit he rented in Mexico. The FBI has confirmed that the allegations are now being examined.
The 82-year-old, who uses a wheelchair, was photographed being moved between care facilities in Lakeland, Florida, on Friday.
Earlier that day, Our News Outlet reported on the contents of a storage unit in Rosarito, Mexico, leased by Markle from 2017 until he stopped making payments in 2024. The material reportedly included books concerning pedophilia, magazines alleged to depict the sexual abuse of children and photographs of unclothed Asian women, some of whom appeared to be notably young.
After receiving the report, a senior FBI source said the bureau had opened an investigation into the allegations and was coordinating with Mexican authorities.
The development comes as officials in the Philippines continue examining electronic devices recovered from Markle’s former home. His estranged son has claimed that those devices may also contain illegal images involving children.
Markle, who previously lost his left leg following a blood clot and is now receiving treatment for a recently diagnosed cognitive condition, appeared solemn as he was wheeled from the Florida rehabilitation center.
He was accompanied by his daughter Samantha Markle, the only one of his children with whom he is believed to remain in contact, and her boyfriend.
Thomas Markle, the estranged father of the Duchess of Sussex, has been pictured for the first time since Our News Outlet reported alleged material from his storage unit to the FBI
The 82-year-old, who denies any wrongdoing, was transferred from the facility to a waiting van before being taken to another center for continued treatment
When approached at her home, Samantha’s boyfriend, Mark Phillips, defended Markle. Samantha was present but did not comment.
“The only statement that you’re going to get is that Thomas Markle doesn’t even have fingerprints on the stuff in the Philippines,” Phillips said.
“He didn’t even touch it during the entire time it was there, so he can’t be charged.
“Markle never had it in Mexico either. The FBI has no jurisdiction in Mexico.
“Thomas Markle Sr hasn’t lived in the United States for 10 years. Even if there was illegal material, the statute of limitations expired five years ago. This is all nonsense.”
Meghan Markle said earlier this week that she was “deeply distressed” by the allegations connected to the Philippines. She was reportedly informed about claims concerning her father by London’s Metropolitan Police in January 2019.
Markle denies all wrongdoing and did not respond to repeated requests for comment from Our News Outlet about the Mexican storage unit.
According to the report, the unit contained books and magazines, along with printed photographs of young Asian women. The nature and legality of the material remains part of the investigation.
One undated photograph reportedly shows Markle sitting on a bed beside a young woman. He appears to be in his 40s or 50s in the image, although its date has not been established.
Markle began renting the 5ft by 10ft unit in 2017, six years after moving to the area. He later left it behind after relocating to the Philippines in January 2025.
Samantha Markle was also seen at the facility. She has supported her father, while her half-brother Thomas Markle Jr and the Duchess of Sussex remain estranged from him
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Authorities are examining allegations linked to material reportedly found at Markle’s former home in the Philippines and in the Mexican storage unit
Our reporter was granted access to the unit after Markle allegedly fell behind on his lease payments.
Among the reported contents were family keepsakes, personal photographs and letters, alongside magazines published in Asia that were alleged to contain illegal images involving children.
Our News Outlet also reported finding 35mm negatives that appeared to show children on a beach in seemingly voyeuristic scenes.
Other negatives reportedly depicted a woman with her limbs restrained, or “hogtied,” while being directed by a man during a photographic session.
More than 50 videotapes were also reportedly discovered. Their labels included “Boys – Brother and Sister – Russian XX” and “Manila Nites,” although the actual contents of the tapes have not been confirmed.
The collection of books reportedly included titles such as Forbidden Sexual Behavior and Morality, The Intimate Sex Lives of Famous People and The Invisible Children.
Our News Outlet alerted the FBI after reporting the discovery of sexually explicit books, magazines and photographs in a Mexican storage unit rented by Thomas Markle
The unit reportedly contains about 20 boxes, including books concerning pedophilia and magazines alleged to depict the sexual abuse of children
One undated photograph reportedly shows Markle seated on a bed with his arm around a young Asian woman, both fully clothed. Other images are said to show the woman alone and unclothed
VHS tapes were also reportedly found, including one marked “Manila Nites.” Their precise contents remain unknown
A paper plate bearing the words “DARK WEB” in red ink, alongside several web addresses, was also reportedly found. Investigators additionally recovered seven hard drives removed from computers in the unit.
Filipino official Jonvic Remulla said earlier this week that Markle could potentially be “a sex offender of the grossest kind,” while adding that what investigators had found appeared to raise the possibility of a serious offense.
The Philippine inquiry began after Thomas Markle Jr alerted the country’s national police to the alleged material.
Markle is undergoing rehabilitation and learning to walk again after having his left leg amputated in the Philippines 11 months ago.
Following the operation, exclusive images published by Our News Outlet appeared to show Markle receiving a letter from Meghan in which she said he would no longer be part of his grandchildren’s lives.
The letter reportedly said Meghan believed her father had abused young girls and that he would not meet her children, Archie, seven, and Lilibet, five.
Markle said last week that he had paid for sex in the Philippines while single. “I never had sex with anyone under the age of 18,” he said. “I like Asian women, but that is not a crime.”
He has also firmly rejected his son’s claims that he downloaded illegal images involving children onto computers and mobile phones later provided to authorities, describing the accusation as “the worst thing anyone could accuse me of.”
