Met Police Confirm 2019 Markle Letter

The Metropolitan Police have verified that a 2019 letter regarding Thomas Markle Sr was forwarded exclusively to the office of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

The disclosure followed reports on Friday that Markle Sr possessed child sexual abuse images. Scotland Yard stated it received the letter in January 2019, which contained claims of offending committed outside Britain. The force confirmed the document went to the Sussex office but was not shared with other law enforcement agencies. A Met spokesperson said the letter was sent to the Protection Command to raise security concerns for the Duchess. The spokesperson added that a decision was made to pass the letter to the office for their awareness. The force is now reviewing how the matter was handled and is considering a referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.

The Sun reported that Thomas Markle Jr, 60, found the images at his former home in Cebu, Philippines. He told local detectives he discovered hundreds of images on computers and phones stored in four boxes. Markle Sr lived in the house until returning to the US in May after a stroke. Markle Jr also said he contacted the FBI. Markle Sr denied the claims, telling the Daily Mail the accusations were sick lies.

Meghan Markle said through a spokesperson that she was deeply distressed by the news. She stated her thoughts were with children who may have been harmed. She confirmed that a letter with troubling and disturbing allegations had been shared with her. She said she was assured the allegations were being investigated. She explained that keeping her father away from her children was done solely to protect them. The Duchess is estranged from her father, who has never met Prince Archie, seven, or Princess Lilibet, five. She and Prince Harry recently relocated to the UK from the US.

Markle initially said the letter arrived in 2018 but later corrected this to 2019. Her spokesperson said it was understandable she misremembered the year after more than seven years without a diary entry. The spokesperson noted that a time-stamped record from the Met should be the accurate reference point. Sources said Markle could not speak publicly in 2019 to avoid jeopardizing future investigations or facing legal action.