Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, said she is deeply distressed by reports that her father, Thomas Markle, is under investigation over alleged child abuse images in the Philippines, the BBC and The Independent reported.

The claims were first reported by The Sun. Meghan's half-brother, Thomas Markle Jr, said he found the images at his father's former home and reported them to police, the BBC said. Thomas Markle, who is 82 and lives in the US, denies having any such images. The Independent said he called the accusations "sick lies."

Meghan said in a written remark that a letter with claims against her father went to London's Metropolitan Police in 2018 and was later shared with her, the BBC reported. She said she was assured the claims were being looked into. She said that is why she kept her distance and did not allow him contact with her children, "to protect them," according to the BBC.

Philippines official Nicholas Ty said the case is being looked into by an anti-trafficking and online child abuse unit, the BBC reported. Interior Minister Jonvic Remulla said national police took Markle's computer for a digital exam that could take time, according to the BBC.

The BBC said the Met is not probing Markle now and is checking whether a royal unit passed the 2018 letter to Meghan. He has not been charged in the cited reports. A Sussex spokesman denied that the claims drove the couple's recent return to the UK, the BBC reported.

What we know: Meghan says she learned of claims about her father in 2018, and Philippines officials say a probe is under way.
What we don't: Whether any charges will be filed, or what the computer exam will find.