Scotland Yard reveals 2019 Thomas Markle memo went solely to Meghan

The Metropolitan Police have confirmed they shared a 2019 document with the office of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex regarding allegations involving Prince Harry’s father.

Scotland Yard stated that the letter, received in January 2019, contained claims of alleged offending outside Britain. The force said the information was passed exclusively to the Sussex office and not to other law enforcement agencies. A Met spokesperson noted that the document was sent to the Protection Command to raise security concerns for the Duchess. The spokesperson explained that after review, the decision was made to share the letter with the Duke and Duchess for their awareness.

The confirmation follows new reports that Thomas Markle Sr possessed images of child sexual abuse. The Sun newspaper reported that Meghan Markle’s half-brother, Thomas Markle Jr, told detectives in the Philippines he found hundreds, if not thousands, of such images on computers and phones. Markle Jr, 60, said the items were kept in four large boxes at his father’s former home in Cebu. Markle Sr lived in that house until returning to the United States in May following a stroke. Markle Jr also told the Sun he contacted the FBI.

Thomas Markle Sr has denied the claims. He told the Daily Mail that the accusations were sick lies. The Met is currently reviewing how the matter was handled in 2019. The force is considering whether to refer itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.

Meghan Markle responded to the news on Friday through a spokesperson. She described herself as deeply distressed and said her thoughts were with any children who may have been harmed. She confirmed that a letter containing troubling and disturbing allegations had been shared with her. She stated she was given assurances that the claims were being investigated. The Duchess said her decision to limit contact between her father and her children was made to protect them.

Meghan initially stated the letter was sent in 2018. She later corrected the date to 2019, admitting she had misremembered the year. Her spokesperson said it was understandable she could be mistaken by a few months when recalling events from more than seven years ago without a diary entry. The spokesperson added that if the Met holds a time-stamped record showing the letter was reviewed in 2019, that should be treated as the accurate reference point.

Sources indicated that Meghan could not speak publicly about the allegations in 2019. They said she stayed quiet to avoid jeopardizing any future investigation and to prevent potential legal action against her. The Duchess is estranged from her father, who has never met Prince Archie, seven, or Princess Lilibet, five. Harry and Meghan recently moved back to the United Kingdom from the United States.