Thomas Markle ordered to undergo psychiatric exam

A US judge has ordered a psychiatric examination for Thomas Markle, the estranged father of Meghan Markle, after his arrest for alleged possession of images of child sexual abuse.

Markle, 82, is charged with one count of “possession of child pornography” and made an initial court appearance in Tampa, Florida, on Friday.

Judge Lindsay Griffin cited Markle’s “health condition,” “advanced age” and “lack of recall” in the order, without giving further details. The judge said there was reasonable cause to believe Markle may be mentally incompetent to understand the proceedings against him or assist properly in his defence.

Griffin instructed a psychiatrist to provide a report on Markle’s mental state by November 20.

FBI agents took Markle into custody on Friday at the retirement home where he lives in Lakeland, Florida.

The Justice Department said Markle allegedly kept child sexual abuse material, including sexually explicit photographs of himself with prepubescent girls, in two Los Angeles-area storage units he rented for nearly two decades. It said such images were also allegedly found at Markle’s former home in the Philippines and at a storage unit he rented in Mexico.

Meghan Markle said last month that she was “deeply distressed” by accusations that her father possessed images of child sexual abuse.

Thomas Markle could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted.