Met Police Received 2019 Claims About Thomas Markle But Kept Details From Other Forces

POLICY WIRE — London, United Kingdom — Law enforcement officials in the British capital acknowledged on Saturday that a letter containing accusations regarding the estranged father of Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, reached their department in 2019, though the details were never forwarded to other domestic agencies.

Meanwhile, authorities in the Philippines verified earlier in the week that an active inquiry is underway regarding Thomas Markle over accusations that he stored child sexual abuse images inside his residence. The 82-year-old has firmly denied the claims, dismissing them to the Daily Mail as sick lies and describing the assertions as the worst thing anyone could accuse him of.

The Duchess of Sussex issued a statement on Friday expressing that she was deeply distressed by the disclosures. She noted that police had previously briefed her about troubling allegations against him back in 2018.

A representative for London’s Metropolitan Police explained that an internal records check showed the department received a communication in January 2019 outlining claims of misconduct occurring outside the United Kingdom. The correspondence was routed to the MPS Protection Command specifically to address security concerns surrounding the Duchess of Sussex. Officials reviewed the paperwork and decided to pass the information along directly to the office of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex for their awareness, while withholding the specifics from other law enforcement bodies.

The official statement omitted whether any formal inquiry was launched or if subsequent measures were taken at that time. The police force stated it is currently evaluating the incident to determine whether a self-referral to the United Kingdom’s Independent Office for Police Conduct is warranted.

The accusations against Markle Sr. surfaced publicly on Thursday through reports by the British tabloid The Sun. The publication stated that his son informed authorities after discovering numerous child sex abuse images within boxes located at his father’s house. The media outlet featured an image depicting Thomas Markle Jr. signing a sworn statement submitted to law enforcement, quoting him as stating he would refuse to speak with his father ever again unless called to provide evidence against him.

Markle’s daughter, Samantha Markle, rejected the claims brought by her brother, describing the assertions to the Daily Mail as completely meritless and accusing her brother of attempting to destroy their father. Meghan addressed the growing controversy by stating that the scope of what has now emerged is far more sickening than anyone could imagine.

Reflecting on her strained history with her father—who missed her 2018 wedding to Prince Harry amid intense media scrutiny—Meghan stated that the initial letter sent to British and international authorities in 2018 raised troubling matters that she was assured were under investigation. She added that she deliberately kept her children, Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5, away from him strictly to protect them.

Global law enforcement agencies have begun responding to the developments. The FBI confirmed its awareness of the matter and stated it will offer appropriate support to Philippine authorities while reviewing any potential violations of U.S. federal law. The justice department in the Philippines verified on Friday that the issue remains under investigation while declining to release additional particulars.

Meghan, 45, and Harry, 42, relocated back to the United Kingdom earlier this summer following a multi-year residence in the United States. The couple made their initial joint public appearance last week by touring charitable organizations across central England, though King Charles III made it clear that their return does not entail a resumption of active royal duties. Prince Harry has recently expressed a desire to resolve longstanding family disagreements.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)