London’s Metropolitan Police referred itself to the police watchdog over handling of a 2019 letter that warned of security threats to the Duchess of Sussex posed by her father, Thomas Markle Sr., as authorities in the Philippines investigate separate allegations that the 82-year-old possessed child sexual abuse images.
Metropolitan Police Refers Itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct Over 2019 Warning Letter
The Metropolitan Police submitted a voluntary conduct referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct regarding its handling of correspondence received in January 2019. The letter, allegedly written by Thomas Markle Sr.’s former wife, was sent to the force to raise concerns about the security of Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex.
While the document contained claims regarding alleged offending outside the United Kingdom, investigators at the time did not examine the assertions or share them with overseas authorities. Instead, the Protection Command passed the letter to the private office of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex for their awareness.
Following a thorough review of Met Police systems and records, we have confirmed that in January 2019, we received a letter containing a number of claims about alleged offending outside the United Kingdom. It was sent to the MPS Protection Command to raise concerns in relation to the security of the Duchess of Sussex.
Commander Adam Slonecki, head of the Met’s Protection Command
Because the force cannot locate a copy of the 2019 communication within its archives, officers asked the Duchess of Sussex to provide the copy preserved in her personal files, a request she fulfilled to assist the internal inquiry.
In 2018, a separate letter was sent to the Metropolitan Police and Royalty and Specialist Protection. The Duchess stated that this earlier correspondence was subsequently shared with her in the summer of that year following her wedding to Prince Harry, and that it made troubling and disturbing allegations against her father. She noted that she was given assurances at that time that those matters were being investigated.
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson stated that officers from the Met’s Royalty and Specialist Protection Command were involved in passing on a letter in 2018 and that internal enquiries were being undertaken to confirm the details. The Metropolitan Police confirmed that it has not investigated Thomas Markle directly in connection with those older communications.
Thomas Markle Sr. Denies Child Sexual Abuse Material Allegations Investigated in Cebu
The police review unfolds concurrently with an active investigation in the Philippines led by authorities. Jonvic Remulla, the Philippine interior minister, stated that all signs point to Markle being a possible sex offender of the grossest kind and added that a full forensic investigation would provide a definitive picture.
The inquiry began after Thomas Markle Jr., the 60-year-old half-brother of the Duchess, reported finding digital files containing illicit material while clearing out storage boxes and an old cell phone at his father’s former residence in Cebu province. Thomas Markle Jr. stated that he had supported and cared for his father for years but felt he had no option left after uncovering the material, adding that he would not speak to his father again unless called to give evidence.
I’m shocked, I’m hurt and I’m very upset that my son is making these accusations against me. I could never do what I’m being accused of. It’s the worst thing anyone could accuse me of.
Thomas Markle Sr., via The Daily Mail
Samantha Markle, the daughter of Thomas Markle Sr. and primary caregiver to her father, defended him by dismissing the allegations entirely and claiming that her brother made them up after financial support from their father was cut off. She asserted that the computers in question had been out of their father’s possession for two years, leaving room for tampering, and suggested that their father may have been set up.
An FBI spokesperson confirmed that the agency is aware of the allegations and will provide support as appropriate to Philippine authorities.
Duchess of Sussex States Estrangement Aimed to Protect Her Children
Responding to the developments, the Duchess of Sussex released a statement noting she was deeply distressed by the reports and that her thoughts rest with any children who may have suffered harm. She clarified that her longstanding distance from her father was maintained to safeguard Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. Meghan and Prince Harry returned to the United Kingdom in August with their children after spending six years residing in the United States following their departure from official royal duties in 2020.
I hope it can now be understood that, despite certain media publications’ distortion over the years, any distance from my father and my choice to not allow him to have contact with our children, was for one reason: to protect them. I trusted that the authorities were doing the same for other families.
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex
While the Metropolitan Police prepares formal referrals of the 2019 letter’s contents to relevant overseas law enforcement bodies, Buckingham Palace has declined to comment on the ongoing inquiries. Royal commentators have noted that the situation could lead King Charles III to further distance the monarchy from the Sussexes as family tensions continue.