Philippine authorities have reportedly recovered around 7,500 images of underage children from electronic devices allegedly belonging to Thomas Markle Snr, the estranged father of the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle.
The material was among a collection of items handed over to investigators by his son, Thomas Markle Jnr, approximately two weeks ago.
Philippines Interior Secretary Juanito Victor Remulla revealed that some of the children featured in the images were as young as 10.
He also confirmed that Thomas Jnr, 60, Meghan’s half-brother, had been named a “person of interest” in the investigation but was not currently considered a suspect.
“There are indications suggesting the son may also be involved in the crime,” Remulla said, while stressing that Thomas Jnr was only being treated as a person of interest at this stage.
The minister added that witnesses had claimed to have seen underage girls visiting Thomas Jnr’s home in the Philippines.
However, The Sun subsequently reported that the claim originated from a neighbour who had allegedly mistaken young relatives of Thomas Jnr’s fiancée for underage visitors.
Thomas Markle Snr, 82, has strongly denied the allegations against him.
The investigation began after Thomas Jnr handed authorities a collection of electronic devices and other materials belonging to his father, which allegedly contained child sexual abuse material.
Investigators are also examining a separate collection of material discovered in a storage unit in Mexico, prompting a criminal investigation there.
Meanwhile, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is expected to search storage units rented by Thomas Snr in Hollywood as part of inquiries into a possible third collection of illegal material.
The developments have also attracted attention in the United States, where Thomas Snr was reportedly involved in crisis talks with his daughter Samantha at his care home in Florida on Tuesday. The meeting lasted more than three hours.
Philippine police had previously indicated that they were close to filing formal charges against the 82-year-old.
The investigation remains ongoing, and the allegations have yet to be established in court.
