Metropolitan Police Say Allegations About Meghan Markle's Father Were Not Shared With Other Agencies

London's Metropolitan Police said it received a letter in January 2019 containing a series of allegations concerning Thomas Markle, the father of Prince Harry's wife, Meghan Markle. The force reviewed the material and forwarded it to the office of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex for their awareness, but it was not shared with other law-enforcement agencies, the police statement said.

Meghan Markle told reporters she was "deeply distressed" by the accusations that her father possessed child-abuse images and said she had blocked his contact with her children after earlier "troubling and disturbing" claims. She added that she had been given assurances the matter was being investigated, although a source close to the case indicated no formal police investigation was underway.

Thomas Markle, who is reportedly in a rehabilitation centre in Florida, denied the allegations, describing them as "sick lies" in an interview with a UK tabloid. A police officer in Cebu City, Philippines, said an investigation was ongoing, and an FBI spokesperson said the agency was aware of the allegations and would support Philippine authorities as appropriate.

The Metropolitan Police said it is reviewing its handling of the case, including whether to involve the police watchdog. The Sussexes, who stepped back from official royal duties in 2020, returned to the United Kingdom with their two children in August.