The father of the Duchess of Sussex, Thomas Markle, has been arrested in Florida and charged with possession of child sexual abuse material.

Markle, 82, was taken into custody after federal agents surrounded the Maravida Senior Living care home in Lakeland, Florida, on Friday morning local time.

The former Hollywood lighting director, who uses a wheelchair after having his leg amputated in the Philippines last year, was escorted from the care home in handcuffs.

He has been estranged from his famous daughter Meghan for around eight years.

The alleged materials were discovered in two units he had been renting for nearly two decades. Britain’s Daily Mail reports they include sexually explicit photos of himself allegedly abusing minor girls.

Markle, 82, was arrested by the FBI at a nursing home in Florida. Photo: Daily Mail

Markle faces up to 20 years in federal prison if convicted.

Agents searched Los Angeles storage units rented by Markle since 2008, seizing “approximately 78 items, including slides, film negatives, and books that contained suspected CSAM (child sexual abuse material)”.

Markle is expected to appear in United States District Court in the Middle District of Florida in Tampa.

The US Department of Justice said, “A Florida man was arrested today on a federal criminal complaint alleging he kept child sexual abuse material (CSAM), including sexually explicit photographs of himself with prepubescent girls, in two Los Angeles-area storage units he rented for nearly two decades.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are so far not commenting on the arrest of Meghan’s father. Photo: Sipa USA

“Thomas Wayne Markle, 82, of Lakeland, Florida, is charged with one count of possession of child pornography.”

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have not yet commented on the arrest.

Last month Meghan confirmed that in 2019 she had been forwarded a letter by the UK’s Metropolitan Police making “disturbing allegations” about Thomas Markle.

FBI director Kash Patel said authorities “moved quickly” in the arrest of Thomas Markle.

FBI director Kash Patel says Markle allegedly targeted innocent children. Photo: Sipa USA

In a statement, he said, “Mr Markle allegedly targeted innocent children and sought to steal their innocence through his criminal actions.

“This FBI will use every single resource at our disposal to protect innocent kids – any predator who targets children will have zero safe haven in this country or anywhere they try to hide.”

Police in the Philippines are also said to be close to bringing charges against Markle after child abuse images were allegedly found at his former home there last month.