Philippine police obtained a warrant this week to examine devices seized from a property in Cebu that allegedly belonged to Thomas Markle Sr, father of the Duchess of Sussex. Hundreds of images of child sexual abuse were reported found at the residence earlier this month.
Four boxes containing computers, phones, hard drives and videotapes were handed to police by Thomas Markle Jr, Meghan's half-brother, last week. Officers needed a court warrant before they could access the material.
Thomas Markle Sr, 82, is now in the United States and has strongly denied the allegations, calling them "sick lies". Cebu Regional Prosecutor Graeme Elmido told the BBC that Thomas Markle Jr remained "adamant" the case should be investigated.
Meghan's mother's first husband, Roslyn Loveless, sent a letter to the Metropolitan Police about the 2019 allegations, which was shared with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex at the time. Loveless has since died.
In a statement on Friday, Meghan confirmed she knew of the letter and wrote: "I am deeply distressed. My thoughts are with any children who may have been harmed." She said she broke contact with her father and does "not allow him to have contact with our children."
Thomas Markle Jr told the Sun he had been "protecting the wrong person for the past nine years" and apologised to his sister for initially siding with their father during the long estrangement.
Police say they must identify how the material was obtained before considering criminal charges.