Timeline: How Meghan Markle’s relationship with her father has changed amid allegations of child abuse images

Meghan Markle has spoken out as her father Thomas Markle Sr faces allegations of child sexual abuse, in the latest controversial episode that has marred the duo’s increasingly fractious relationship.

Meghan’s half-brother, Thomas Markle Jr, alleged that he had found a stash of images belonging to her father at his former home in the Philippines, the Sun reported on Friday.

In an interview with the Daily Mail, Thomas Sr denied possessing child sex images, calling the accusations “sick lies”.

The Duchess of Sussex, who has been estranged from her father for years, said authorities had approached her in 2018 after receiving a letter that made “troubling and disturbing allegations” against Thomas Sr.

Thomas Sr has made a number of statements over the years in the media against his daughter since he was uninvited from her wedding to the prince in 2018. He’s spoken to the Mail on Sunday and Good Morning Britain a number of times to discuss his distance from his daughter, and fractious relationship with his son-in-law, as he’s not met his grandchildren.

Following the allegations, Meghan said she hoped the allegations could help the public understand her estrangement from her father and her decision not to allow him contact with her two children, Archie and Lilibet, whom she shares with Prince Harry.

Here is a timeline of their difficult relationship over the years:

Relationship before estrangement

Thomas Sr was already father to Samatha and Thomas Jr when he married Doria Ragland in 1980. A year later, he would go on to have Meghan, and the couple divorced in 1987.

The divorced couple issued a statement via Kensington Palace back in 2017 upon the announcement that Harry and Meghan were engaged.

"We are incredibly happy for Meghan and Harry. Our daughter has always been a kind and loving person. To see her union with Harry, who shares the same qualities, is a source of great joy for us as parents,” the statement said. "We wish them a lifetime of happiness and are very excited for their future together."

May 2018: Meghan reveals her father won’t be coming to her wedding

Two days prior to Meghan’s highly-publicised wedding to Prince Harry, a statement was released on her behalf by Buckingham Palace to affirm that Thomas Sr would not be coming to the wedding.

“Sadly, my father will not be attending our wedding,” she said. “I have always cared for my father and hope he can be given the space he needs to focus on his health.

“I would like to thank everyone who has offered generous messages of support. Please know how much Harry and I look forward to sharing our special day with you on Saturday.”

The reclusive former TV lighting director had been due to walk his daughter down the aisle but was in Mexico at the time, recovering after undergoing heart surgery on Wednesday to implant three stents. He was also caught up in controversy after allegedly being caught staging photographs with the paparazzi.

June 2018: Thomas Markle appears on Good Morning Britain

A month after the wedding, Thomas Sr appeared on Good Morning Britain in what would be the first of many media appearances. Meghan’s father shared details about how he first found out about his daughter’s relationship and when Prince Harry asked his permission for marriage.

Thomas Sr said it was difficult to tell his daughter that he couldn’t come to the wedding, but that she’d been understanding.

“They were disappointed, but they both said, and Meghan cried, I’m sure, she did cry,” he said, “and they both said ‘take care of yourself, we’re really worried about you’.”

July 2018: Public interviews causes rift between father and daughter

In an interview with TMZ, Thomas Sr claimed that interviews with the media had led to his daughter no longer speaking with him.

"I was silent for a full year and the press beat me up every day saying I was a hermit hiding in Mexico, so I gave my story. Apparently that interview put the Royal Family in their silence mode ... so, I gave another interview to break the silence. All they have to do is speak to me.”

August 2018: Thomas Markle recounts hanging up on Prince Harry

Thomas Sr told the Mail on Sunday that he’d argued with Prince Harry on the phone following news that he had staged photographs with the paparazzi.

He told the paper that the prince had warned him against going to the press, and that he’d lied to Harry when asked if he had co-operated with a paparazzi photographer to pose for shots.

Mr Markle said the prince told him: “If you had listened to me this would never have happened”.

He said he replied: “Maybe it would be better for you guys if I was dead… then you could pretend to be sad,” before hanging up.

December 2018: Meghan’s father claims he’s been frozen out

In another interview with Good Morning Britain, Meghan’s father claimed that he was receiving silent treatment from the family. He said on the television show: “I love you very much, you're my daughter and I would really like to hear from you. Whatever differences we have, we should be able to work them out.”

He said: “I've been trying to reach out for several weeks - every day I try to text her, I just haven't received any comment back.

“I just keep asking her to respond back to me and I haven't got any response back. I've sent letters as well.”

February 2019: Mail on Sunday publish letter Meghan sent to father

A letter sent my Meghan to her father was published by the Mail on Sunday as she made a bid to get him to stop talking to the press. It would later be revealed that two senior members of the royal family had advised her to write the letter due to her “distress” at the media coverage of her father.

August 2019: Thomas Markle claims he’s never met Prince Harry or grandchildren

Thomas Sr claimed to the Mail on Sunday that he’d never met his son-in-law and had still not met his grandson Archie.

“Of course I'm disappointed not to see Archie. I had hoped becoming a mother would mellow Meghan and she would reach out.”

October 2019: Meghan and Harry sue over private letter being published

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced they were taking legal action against the Mail on Sunday after the newspaper unlawfully published one of the duchess’ private letters.

In a lengthy and highly personal statement published on the royal couple’s official website, Prince Harry said they had been driven to take legal action after the “painful” impact of “relentless propaganda” against his wife from the British tabloid press.

Referencing press coverage of his mother Princess Diana, the duke said his “deepest fear is history repeating itself”.

January 2020: Thomas Markle makes more attempts to speak to daughter and ex-wife

Speaking to Good Morning Britain, Meghan’s father said he’d made attempts to speak to his daughter and his ex-wife Ms Ragland, but had no luck in reconciling with them.

“I’ve spoken and sent letters to Doria to get to Meghan - and that hasn’t happened as well. So no, I’m at their mercy.”

September 2023: Thomas Markle renews plea to see his grandchildren

Appearing again on the British television show, Thomas Sr made a plea to see his grandchildren. The plea came after Meghan’s father had suffered a stroke, to which he claimed she had made no effort to speak to him in his ill state.

“I still haven’t seen my grandkids,” he said. “I want to see my grandkids and I think the King would like to see his grandkids as well.”

He continued: “I’m very upset as well because this is a cruel thing to do to a grandparent, not to mention to the King of England as well.”

December 2025: Meghan makes contact with father as he’s rushed to hospital

As Thomas Sr was hospitalised in the Philippines to have his leg amputated, a spokesperson said that Meghan had made contact with her father via letter.

In a statement, her spokesperson said: “Given that a Daily Mail reporter has remained at her father’s bedside throughout, broadcasting each interaction and breaching clear ethical boundaries, it has been exceedingly difficult for the duchess to contact her father privately, despite her efforts over the past several days.

“With the support of reliable and trusted contacts, her correspondence is now safely in his hands.”

October 2026: Meghan speaks out amid sexual abuse claims against her father

Meghan Markle released a statement following the child sex abuse claims made against her father.

“I am deeply distressed at the news that has come to light in the last 24 hours, and my thoughts are with any children who may have been harmed,” she said. “In 2018, a letter was sent to the Metropolitan Police and Royalty and Specialist Protection. That letter was subsequently shared with me.

“It made troubling and disturbing allegations against my father and I was given assurances that these were being investigated.

“I hope it can now be understood that, despite certain media publications’ distortion over the years, any distance from my father and my choice to not allow him to have contact with our children, was for one reason: to protect them.

“I trusted that the authorities were doing the same for other families.

“Although the breadth of what has now been uncovered is more sickening than one could ever imagine, my sincerest hope is that justice will be fully served and that the priority remains the safety and protection of innocent children.”