Summary

  • Thomas Markle, the father of Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, has been arrested in Florida

  • Sources familiar with the matter tell CBS News, the BBC's US media partner, Markle was arrested over allegations he possessed child sex abuse material

  • Earlier this month it was reported that hundreds of images of child sexual abuse allegedly belonging to Markle, 82, had been found at a property in the Philippines

  • He previously denied the allegations, describing them as "sick lies"

  • The duchess has been estranged from her father since 2018 - in a statement last month, the wife of Prince Harry said: "I am deeply distressed... my thoughts are with any children who may have been harmed"

  • She added that she hoped it could be understood why she had largely cut off contact from her father

Live Reporting

Edited by Sam Hancock and Caitlin Doherty

  1. CBS: Thomas Markle was arrested in Florida

    Thomas Markle was arrested in Florida, according to the BBC's US media partner CBS News.

    Pictures published by the Daily Mail and the Sun appear to show Markle in handcuffs surrounded by FBI personnel while he sits in a wheelchair.

  2. Meghan said she was 'deeply distressed' over allegations against her father

    In a statement released last month after the allegations about her father emerged, the Duchess of Sussex said in a statement: "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 added that she hoped it could be understood why she had largely cut off contact from her father.

  3. What we know, and don't know, about Thomas Markle Sr's arrest

    What we know:

    • Thomas Markle Sr - the father of Meghan, Duchess of Sussex - has been arrested in connection with allegations he possessed child sex abuse material, according to the BBC’s US partner CBS News
    • Markle has strongly denied all allegations against him previously, and labelled recent allegations that he had possessed images of child abuse as "sick lies"
    • His daughter Meghan revealed in October that she had been informed by letter about “disturbing allegations” in early 2019

    What we don’t know:

    • When Markle Sr was arrested - and where
    • Whether the Duchess of Sussex has been informed

  4. Sources say 82-year-old arrested over allegations he possessed child sex abuse material

    Three sources familiar with the matter tell CBS News - the BBC's US media partner - Meghan's father Thomas Markle has been arrested in connection with allegations he possessed child sex abuse material.

    The case remains under seal, one of the sources adds.

  5. Meghan's father Thomas Markle arrested, sources tell CBS News
    Breaking

    Thomas Markle Sr, the father of Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, has been arrested over allegations he possessed child sex abuse material.

    • This is a breaking news story - we'll bring you more information shortly