Markle was initially arrested on November 6 after FBI agents searched two storage units in Los Angeles that he had rented since 2008. The FBI seized 78 items, including film negatives, slides, and books, which they allege contain child sexual abuse material. One image reportedly shows Markle with a naked underage girl in a motel room in the Philippines, where he had previously lived. The criminal complaint states that a special agent identified approximately 18 images that appear to constitute child pornography.

During his initial court appearance on November 6, Markle demonstrated a “lack of recall” and was ordered to undergo a psychiatric evaluation to assess his mental competency. Judge Griffin noted his “advanced age” and health conditions, including a recent stroke and leg amputation, as factors in her decision. She also ordered a prompt medical evaluation to ensure he receives necessary medication.

Markle has denied the allegations, calling them “sick lies.” He previously told the Daily Mail that the accusations were untrue. FBI Director Kash Patel stated that Markle “targeted innocent children and sought to steal their innocence through his criminal actions.”

Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, has been estranged from her father since 2018. She has stated that she was “deeply distressed” by the allegations and that her decision to cut off contact with him was to protect her children, Archie and Lilibet. She also confirmed the existence of a 2019 letter sent to London police containing “troubling allegations” about her father.

On November 10, Meghan attended an event in Brussels with Prince Harry to mark the opening of the Lost Screen Memorial, an art installation commemorating children who died due to harm on social media. Harry delivered a speech, but Meghan canceled her planned address. Neither responded to questions from journalists at the event.

Judge Griffin ordered that Markle be held in a detention facility “separate, to the extent practicable, from” the general jail population. The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Los Angeles confirmed that Markle was returned to federal custody after prosecutors requested his detention following the removal of his ankle monitor.

The FBI investigation into Markle’s storage units remains ongoing. The criminal complaint notes that the investigation has identified approximately 18 images that appear to constitute child pornography. The items found in the storage units, including boxes labeled “Tom Markle,” corroborate his use of the units.