Major UK newspapers are leading with the Duchess of Sussex's disclosure that she received a letter in 2018 containing serious allegations about her estranged father, Thomas Markle, following reports that images of child sexual abuse were discovered at his former home in the Philippines. According to BBC News, nearly all front pages are covering Meghan's response to the allegations, with the Duchess describing the letter as containing "troubling and disturbing allegations." Thomas Markle, 82 and based in the US, has denied possessing any such images.
The Metropolitan Police is conducting internal enquiries to verify Meghan's account of the 2018 letter, according to AFP. ITV News reported that it had reviewed the 2018 letter and confirmed it contained no allegations of crimes committed in the UK. The Philippine Department of Justice's taskforce in Cebu is also investigating the complaint, with Undersecretary Nicholas Ty confirming the inquiry to ITV News.
The Daily Telegraph's headline reads "Meghan warned over father 8 years ago," highlighting the timeline of the Duchess's knowledge. The Daily Mail reports that Scotland Yard was "scrambling" to locate the correspondence, with sources emphasising that the Metropolitan Police "never investigated Mr Markle."
The Daily Star frames the story around the timing, stating the "Duchess heard 'disturbing' claims soon after wedding," referring to Meghan's 2018 marriage to the Duke of Sussex.
The Daily Express reports that Meghan Markle's half-brother, Thomas Markle Jr, reportedly alerted police about the allegations. According to CP24, Thomas Markle Jr discovered "hundreds, if not thousands" of images in boxes while clearing the Cebu home and contacted both Philippine police and the FBI.
The Daily Mirror's front page carries the headline "Meghan's anguish," while the Independent leads with "Meghan 'distressed' over abuse images claim against father."
Weather coverage also dominates several papers. Scotland is braced for Storm Boleo following Storm Austen, which caused disruption in south-west England on Friday. Brighton's historic West Pier, which opened in 1866 and has remained derelict since 1975, suffered significant damage after 100mph winds struck the structure. Storm Boleo is forecast to bring strong winds and heavy rain on Saturday and Sunday, with an amber wind warning covering parts of Scotland, northern England and Northern Ireland.
What will the Autumn Budget contain?
As the Autumn Budget approaches on Wednesday, newspapers are speculating extensively about Chancellor John Healey's announcements. The Times carries a warning from Andy Haldane, former chief economist at the Bank of England, cautioning Prime Minister Andy Burnham against repeating the mistakes of Liz Truss's mini-budget. Haldane states that unfunded spending measures could
"crater" the economy, urging Burnham to
"take the knife" to public spending. Truss's mini-budget, which contained unfunded spending pledges and major tax cuts, led to the dismissal of ex-chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng, the collapse of bond markets, and Truss's own resignation.
The Financial Times Weekend reports that Healey is planning a "£20bn lending boost" for the "state's business leaders and infrastructure bank" in the budget. The move requires the chancellor to "flex fiscal rules," with the Treasury arguing
"it would create and support 100,000 jobs in sectors including AI, defence and green energy by 2035".
Are online safety laws protecting children?
The Guardian leads with concerns that "online safety laws have failed to protect children," citing the UK's online safety regulator. Ofcom's assessment from the first nine months after the children's safety duties came into force in July 2025 concludes that
"children have been fed an almost unchanged diet of unsafe content that has often left them frightened, confused and upset".
Is the Cabinet divided on EU relations?
The i Weekend reports significant division within the Cabinet over whether to rejoin the European Union and hold a new referendum. The paper reveals a 15-13 split between ministers in favour and those opposed or undecided on the question of EU membership. Ministers are also torn on whether to call a new referendum on rejoining the European bloc.
