Meghan Markle’s estranged dad wanted ‘fresh start’ before moving to Philippines — where he allegedly hoarded sick child porn stash

· New York Post

Meghan Markle’s estranged dad said he wanted a “fresh start” somewhere “peaceful” before moving across the world to the Philippines — where he allegedly hoarded disturbing child pornography.

Thomas Markle Sr. told the Daily Mail in January 2025 that he was moving overseas from his cliffside property in Rosarito, Mexico, to escape the “awful drama” related to his daughter, the Duchess of Sussex.

More than a year later, Markle Sr. is under investigation for allegedly hiding a trove of sickening child sex abuse images in his Philippines refuge, The Sun reported.

Meghan Markle’s father, Thomas Markle, seen in February 2022. He is under investigation for allegedly stashing a sickening trove of child pornography in his Philippines home — which was found by his “horrified” son, Thomas Jr. BACKGRID / BACKGRID
The apartment block in Cebu, Philippines, where Thomas Markle’s alleged stash of child porn was found by his son. BACKGRID / BACKGRID

“I am ready for a change,” he told the outlet at the time. “I have felt stuck in a rut for some time, and I am ready to meet new people and experience kindness.”

He added that he wanted to live in a more “peaceful” environment to avoid the “awful drama of recent years.”

Meghan and Thomas Markle seen in a photo from her youth. Channel 5

Markle Sr. has been estranged from his daughter since shortly before her Windsor Castle wedding to Prince Harry in 2018. He has yet to meet his son-in-law or his grandchildren, Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5.

The former “General Hospital” lighting director claimed to have suffered a heart attack before the pair tied the knot.

Meghan was born during Markle Sr.’s marriage to his ex-wife, Doria Ragland.

He expressed continued interest in meeting his grandchildren, and even made a “deathbed plea” to Meghan in April 2023 following a series of health problems.

Thomas Markle Jr., the son of the retired lighting director, was “horrified” after stumbling upon the droves of child pornography in his dad’s home in Cebu, The Sun reported.

Markle Jr. contacted local police about the sickening find, and the Philippine government’s Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking has reportedly created a task force to investigate the case.

The FBI is also poised to launch a probe into Markle Sr., who has been residing in a rehabilitation facility in Florida, the outlet reported.

The FBI has not responded to The Post’s request for comment.