Thomas Markle's granddaughter has defended Meghan, Duchess of Sussex's decision to keep her children away from their grandfather - claiming she always felt there was "something off" about him as he faces allegations involving child sexual abuse material.

Noelle Rasmussen, the daughter of Meghan's half-sister Samantha Markle, spoke to the Daily Telegraph from her home in New Mexico, days after reports emerged Thomas, 82, was being investigated over alleged child sexual abuse material.

She discussed her limited interactions with her grandfather, her concerns about the allegations and her support for Meghan, 45, and Prince Harry, 42, keeping their children, Prince Archie, seven, and Princess Lilibet, five, away from him.

Noelle said about the accusations against Thomas: "It doesn't surprise me."

She added: "The more and more I think about it… it just doesn't. I don't know why it's not a surprise."

Reflecting on her encounters with Thomas, Noelle also said: "Maybe it was a vibe that I subconsciously got… something's not right about a person, and you don't actively register it. But your body tells you when something's off."

Noelle made clear that she had never experienced sexual abuse at the hands of her grandfather, but said the allegations had left her concerned about the possibility that other people might have been harmed.

She said: "I'm glad that I had never been victimised or had the chance to be victimised."

Noelle added: "I don't think he would attack family, but when you do not know what somebody's capable of, you can't assume."

She also addressed Meghan's decision to keep Archie and Lilibet away from Thomas, who has been estranged from his daughter since before her wedding to Harry in 2018.

Noelle said: "I support her decision to prevent her kids from seeing him."

She added: "I wouldn't want my kids around somebody who was being accused of child molestation."

Thomas has vehemently denied the allegations, describing them as "sick lies".

The allegations remain unproven, and the supplied reports do not establish that he has been charged with an offence.

The allegations have also raised questions about how British police handled an earlier warning involving Thomas.

According to the Telegraph and ITV News, a letter sent to the Metropolitan Police in 2019 was written by Thomas's former wife, Roslyn Loveless, who died in 2024.

Roslyn, the mother of Samantha and Thomas Markle Jr, made allegations about her former husband's behaviour and warned that he could pose a risk.

The Metropolitan Police has acknowledged receiving the letter and passing it to representatives of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, but confirmed its contents were not shared with overseas law enforcement agencies.

The force is reviewing its handling of the correspondence and considering whether to refer the matter to the police watchdog.

Noelle criticised the handling of the warning.

She said: "It blows my mind."

Noelle added: "That is a failure on the police's part… that is such a failure of the system. It's embarrassing."

Meghan, who became internationally known for playing Rachel Zane in the legal drama Suits before marrying Harry, has also issued a statement about the allegations against her father.

She said: "I am deeply distressed at the news that has come to light in the last 24 hours, and my thoughts are with any children who may have been harmed."

Meghan also explained her decision to prevent Thomas from having contact with Archie and Lilibet had been motivated by concerns for their safety.

The developments come after Meghan and Harry returned to live in Britain in August, having previously spent six years in California following their departure as working members of the royal family.

Meanwhile, Philippine authorities are investigating allegations that suspected child sexual abuse material was discovered among electronic devices at Thomas's former home in Cebu.

According to The Sun, Thomas Jr reported the alleged discovery to police, while investigators are examining whether the material can be linked to any criminal offences.

The FBI has confirmed it is aware of the allegations and is prepared to assist Philippine investigators.

In a statement reported by Sky News, the bureau said: "The FBI is aware of the allegations and will provide support, as appropriate, to the Philippine authorities."

It added: "We will also investigate any related allegations of federal violations of US law."

Thomas has denied possessing child sexual abuse images and disputed the accusations made against him.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, he said: "I could never do what I'm being accused of. It's the worst thing anyone could accuse me of."