Met Police Review Handling of 2019 Letter Alleging Misconduct by Meghan Markle's Father

The Metropolitan Police said it received a letter in 2019 that made a series of allegations against Thomas Markle, the father of Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex. A Scotland Yard spokesperson told CBS News that the letter was passed to the Duke and Duchess’s office for their awareness, but its contents were not shared with other law-enforcement agencies.

Philippine authorities have opened an investigation after personal items belonging to Markle were handed over by his son, Thomas Markle Jr. Colonel Allen Rae Co of the Philippine National Police said investigators are examining the nature and origin of the materials and whether they violate the law, adding that U.S. authorities have offered assistance if needed.

The Sun was the first tabloid to report the allegations, citing that Markle Jr. found child-abuse material in storage boxes at his father’s home in the Philippines. The Daily Mail later reported that Markle denied the accusations.

Meghan issued a statement saying she had been aware of the allegations since 2018 and that the letter had been shared with U.K. authorities at that time. She said she has kept a distance from her father to protect her children.

A spokesperson for the duchess told BBC News that any slight discrepancy in the dating of the letter was understandable given the passage of time. Scotland Yard said the Met Police will review its handling of the 2019 matter and consider whether to refer the case to the police watchdog.