Metropolitan Police launches inquiry into 2018 letter alleging misconduct by Meghan Markle's father
London police are investigating whether a 2018 letter containing allegations against Thomas Markle was passed to the Duchess of Sussex by the Met's royal protection unit.
The Metropolitan Police said it is conducting an internal inquiry after media reports that a letter sent to its Fixated Threat Assessment Centre in 2018 contained allegations about Thomas Markle, the father of the Duchess of Sussex. The letter was reportedly forwarded to Meghan Markle, who said she received it in 2018 and was told the claims would be investigated.
"We are aware of media reports that officers from the Met's Royalty and Specialist Protection Command were involved in the passing on of a letter in 2018. We are undertaking inquiries internally in an effort to confirm this," a Met spokesperson said.
The allegations, first reported by a UK tabloid, involve alleged child sexual abuse material found at Markle's former residence in the Philippines. Philippine authorities, including the Department of Justice and the Interior Ministry, confirmed that a task force and national police are examining digital evidence from Markle's computer. The FBI said it is aware of the allegations and will support Philippine investigators as appropriate.
Thomas Markle, who now resides in a rehabilitation centre in Florida after recent health issues, has denied the accusations and is not the subject of a UK police investigation. Meghan Markle has previously stated that she kept distance from her father to protect her children and expressed concern for any potential victims.
The Met's inquiry focuses on whether its royal protection unit transmitted the letter to the Duchess, rather than on the substantive allegations against Markle, which are being examined by Philippine and U.S. authorities.