The allegations surfaced in British press reports saying images were found at Thomas Markle's former home in the Philippines. One report attributed the claim to Thomas Markle Jr., Meghan's half-brother, who said he had found a stash of images at the property. Thomas Markle, who now lives in a rehab centre in Florida, told one outlet in an interview that the claims were "bull****."

In her statement, Meghan, 45, said she was shown a letter in 2018, the year she married Prince Harry, that contained similar accusations from Thomas Markle Jr. She said the letter had been sent to London's Metropolitan Police and to Royalty and Specialist Protection, and that she was assured at the time that the allegations "were being investigated." The Met has not confirmed whether it issued her a letter or what any such document contained.

Meghan has previously blocked contact between her father and her two children, Archie, seven, and Lilibet, five. She has said she did so to protect them from what she called "troubling and disturbing" allegations. In Friday's statement she said the decision to distance herself from her father and keep him from the children was made "for one reason: to protect them."

She also pointed to "media publications' distortion over the years" and described the situation as "more sickening than one could ever imagine." She said the safety of innocent children remains the priority, that she trusted authorities were protecting other families, and that she hoped "justice will be fully served."

Meghan and Harry left Britain in 2020. They returned to the United Kingdom with their children in August.

AFP has contacted police in the Philippines and in London for comment.