Thomas Markle, the 82-year-old father of Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, was arrested by federal authorities in Florida and charged in connection with the possession of child sexual abuse material. According to the US Justice Department, the arrest followed an FBI investigation that included searches of two Los Angeles-area storage units rented by Markle over nearly two decades.
Markle was taken into custody at a nursing home near Tampa and scheduled to make an initial court appearance in Tampa. The federal case remains under seal.
The Duchess of Sussex, who has been estranged from her father since 2018, responded to the developments through a statement expressing profound concern. "I am deeply distressed at the news that has come to light in the last 24 hours," she said, adding that her thoughts are with any children who may have been harmed.
