Met Police Confirm 2019 Letter on Markle Allegations Sent to Sussex Office Only

The Metropolitan Police confirmed that they provided the Duchess of Sussex with a 2019 letter containing allegations of alleged offending involving her father, Thomas Markle Sr. The force stated that the document was sent to the office of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex but was not shared with other law enforcement agencies. This confirmation follows reports that Markle Sr possessed images of child sexual abuse.

According to the Metropolitan Police, they received the letter in January 2019. The document made several claims about offending that took place outside of Britain. A spokesperson for the force said the letter was sent to the Protection Command of the Metropolitan Police Service to raise concerns about the security of the Duchess of Sussex. The force reviewed the letter and decided it should be passed to the office of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex for their awareness.

The Metropolitan Police said they have carried out a thorough review of their systems and records. They are currently reviewing how the matter was handled in 2019. The force is considering whether to refer itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.

The allegations gained public attention after The Sun reported that Meghan's half-brother, Thomas Markle Jr, found a stash of images belonging to their father at his former home in the Philippines. Markle Jr, who is 60, told detectives in the Philippines that he discovered hundreds, if not thousands, of such images on computers and mobile phones. These items were kept in four large boxes at a house in Cebu. Markle Sr lived in that house until he returned to the United States in May following a stroke.

Markle Sr has denied the allegations. He told the Daily Mail that the accusations were sick lies. Meghan said through a spokesperson that she was deeply distressed by the news. She stated that her thoughts were with any children who may have been harmed. She said a letter containing troubling and disturbing allegations about her father had been shared with her. She noted that she was given assurances the matters were being investigated.

Meghan said her decision to keep her father from having contact with her children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, was made to protect them. She and Prince Harry recently moved back to the United Kingdom from the United States. Meghan initially said the letter was sent in 2018 but later confirmed it was 2019. Her spokesperson said it was understandable she could be mistaken by a few months when recalling events from more than seven years ago without a diary entry or contemporaneous record.

Sources indicated that Meghan could not speak publicly about the allegations in 2019. They said this was to avoid jeopardizing any future investigation and because speaking out could have led to legal action against her.