Met Police Verify 2019 Letter on Markle Allegations Shared With Sussex Office

The Metropolitan Police confirmed that it forwarded a letter containing allegations of offending involving Thomas Markle Sr. to the office of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in January 2019. The force stated that the document was reviewed by its Protection Command and passed to the royal couple for their awareness. The Metropolitan Police noted that the letter was not shared with other law enforcement agencies.

The confirmation came after The Sun reported new details regarding the allegations. Thomas Markle Jr., the duchess's half-brother, told detectives in the Philippines that he discovered a large number of images belonging to his father at his former home in Cebu. Markle Jr. stated that he found the images on computers and mobile phones stored in four large boxes. He told investigators that he had also contacted the FBI regarding the matter. Thomas Markle Sr. lived in the Philippines until returning to the United States in May following a stroke.

Thomas Markle Sr. has denied the claims, telling the Daily Mail that the accusations were sick lies. The Metropolitan Police said it is currently reviewing how the matter was handled in 2019. The force is also considering whether to refer the case to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.

Princess Meghan said through a spokesperson that she is deeply distressed by the news. She stated that she was given assurances that the allegations were being investigated. The duchess explained that her decision to keep her father from having contact with her children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, was made to protect them. She and Prince Harry recently moved back to the United Kingdom from the United States.

Initial remarks from the duchess suggested the letter was sent in 2018. She later corrected this, confirming the year was 2019. A spokesperson said that a time-stamped record from the Metropolitan Police should serve as the accurate reference point for the timeline. The spokesperson noted that it is understandable for a person to misremember dates from events occurring more than seven years prior without a contemporaneous record.

Sources close to the duchess indicated that she could not speak publicly about the letter in 2019. They cited concerns that speaking out could jeopardize a future investigation or lead to legal action. The Metropolitan Police said its review of systems and records was thorough. The force added that the letter raised specific concerns about the security of the Duchess of Sussex.