2019 Letter: Met Police Confirm Sharing Allegations About Meghan Markle's Father

The Metropolitan Police have officially verified that they passed a letter containing specific allegations against Thomas Markle Sr to the office of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in 2019. This confirmation arrives as new details emerge regarding the father of Meghan Markle, who has reportedly been linked to child sexual abuse images. The revelation clarifies a long-standing question about when the royal household first received formal notice of the claims and how the information was handled by law enforcement.

Scotland Yard stated that the letter arrived in January 2019. The document raised concerns about offending behavior occurring outside of Britain. The force confirmed that the information was shared with the Sussex office to ensure they were aware of the security implications. However, the Met noted that the letter was not forwarded to any other law enforcement agencies at that time.

The fresh wave of attention began with reports that Meghan’s half-brother, Thomas Markle Jr, discovered a collection of images at his former residence in Cebu, Philippines. Markle Jr, 60, told local detectives that he found hundreds, if not thousands, of such images on computers and mobile phones. These devices were kept in four large boxes at the house. Markle Sr lived in that property until he returned to the United States in May following a stroke.

According to the same reports, Markle Jr has contacted the FBI regarding the discovery. Thomas Markle Sr has denied the accusations. In an interview with the Daily Mail, he described the claims as sick lies. The dispute over the nature and timing of the allegations has now moved from the family sphere into the realm of institutional police procedure.

A spokesperson for the Met explained that the force conducted a thorough review of its records. The letter was originally sent to the Protection Command of the Metropolitan Police Service. The purpose was to raise concerns regarding the security of the Duchess. The spokesperson stated that after review, a decision was made to pass the document to the Sussex office for their awareness. The force is currently reviewing how the matter was handled in 2019. It is also considering whether to refer itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.

Meghan spoke on Friday through a spokesperson, describing herself as deeply distressed by the news. She expressed sympathy for any children who may have been harmed. She confirmed that a letter with troubling and disturbing allegations had been shared with her. She noted that she was given assurances at the time that the claims were being investigated. Her decision to limit her father's contact with her children, she said, was made solely to protect them.

The Duchess is currently estranged from her father. He has never met her two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. Meghan and Prince Harry recently returned to the United Kingdom from the US. This move may influence how the ongoing discussions and potential legal reviews are managed in the near future.

There was a minor discrepancy in the timeline provided by Meghan's team. Her initial statement on Friday suggested the letter was sent in 2018. She later corrected this, confirming it was 2019. A spokesperson said it was understandable that she might be mistaken by a few months when recalling events from more than seven years ago without a contemporaneous record. They added that if the Met holds a time-stamped record showing the review happened in 2019, that should be treated as the accurate reference point.

Sources indicate that although Meghan learned of the allegations in 2019, she was unable to speak publicly at the time. This silence was maintained to avoid jeopardizing any future investigation. Additionally, speaking out earlier could have led to legal action against her. The current confirmation by the Met provides a clearer timeline for how the information flowed between the police and the royal family.