Met Police confirms receipt of 2019 letter alleging misconduct by Meghan Markle's father

The Metropolitan Police has confirmed that in January 2019 it received a letter that made a series of claims concerning alleged wrongdoing by Thomas Markle, the father of the Duchess of Sussex. The correspondence was sent to the police protection command and was subsequently passed to the office of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex for their awareness, the force said.

Scotland Yard added that the details of the allegations were not disclosed to any other law-enforcement agencies and that the Met is reviewing its handling of the matter, including whether to refer the case to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.

The letter’s existence was highlighted after reports emerged that images alleged to be child sexual-abuse material were found in Markle’s former home in the Philippines. Markle, who now resides in the United States, has denied possessing such material.

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, said she was first informed of the allegations in 2018 and that she was given assurance they were being investigated. She explained that the claims influenced her decision to maintain distance from her father and to limit his contact with her children.

A spokesperson for the duchess responded to questions about the timing of the letter, noting that a discrepancy of a few months was understandable given the passage of time.

Thomas Markle Jr., the duchess’s half-brother, claimed he discovered the alleged material at their former Philippines residence and reported the matter to authorities, including contacting the FBI in July.