The Metropolitan Police is investigating reports that a letter containing allegations about Thomas Markle, the father of the Duchess of Sussex, was sent to a specialist police unit in 2018 and subsequently passed to Meghan.
The force said it was conducting internal inquiries to establish whether officers from its Royalty and Specialist Protection Command were involved in sharing the letter with the duchess eight years ago.
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: “We are aware of media reports that officers from the Met’s Royalty and Specialist Protection Command were involved in the passing on of a letter in 2018.”
“We are undertaking inquiries internally in an effort to confirm this.”
According to The Sun, the letter was sent to the Fixated Threat Assessment Centre, a specialist unit that deals with individuals who may pose a threat to members of the Royal Family and politicians.
Meghan Says She Was Informed of Allegations in 2018
Meghan released a statement on Friday saying she had received information about what she described as “disturbing allegations” concerning her estranged father in 2018.
She said she had been assured at the time that the allegations were being investigated.
Sources close to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex said Meghan had been unable to speak publicly about the matter when she first learned of it because doing so could have affected a potential investigation. They also said public comments could have exposed her to legal action.
Meghan said she hoped the circumstances would help explain why she had maintained her distance from her father and had not allowed him contact with her children.
She said the decision had been made “to protect them” and added that she had trusted the authorities to protect other families.
Reports Allege Child Abuse Images Were Found at Former Home
The police inquiry follows reports published on Friday alleging that images of child sexual abuse were found at Thomas Markle’s former home in the Philippines.
The Sun, which first reported the claims, subsequently stated that the 2018 letter contained direct allegations of child sexual abuse against him.
Thomas Markle, 82, strongly denies the allegations. UK police are not investigating him, and the Metropolitan Police inquiry is focused on establishing whether the letter was passed to Meghan as reported.
Meghan’s half-brother, Thomas Markle Jr, told The Sun that he had allegedly discovered the images at their father’s home and reported the matter to police.
Philippine Authorities Conduct Digital Forensic Investigation
Authorities in the Philippines have confirmed that investigations into the allegations are under way.
Nicholas Ty, undersecretary at the Philippines Department of Justice, told the BBC that the matter was being investigated by an anti-human trafficking and child sexual exploitation task force in Cebu.
Interior Minister Jonvic Remulla separately told the BBC that national police had secured Thomas Markle Snr’s computer for a comprehensive digital forensic examination.
Investigators are analysing the data to establish the extent of the alleged criminal activity. Remulla said the forensic results were expected to take approximately one week.
The US Federal Bureau of Investigation also confirmed that it was aware of the allegations.
In a statement, the FBI said it would provide support to Philippine authorities where appropriate and investigate any related allegations involving violations of US federal law.
Thomas Markle Has Been Receiving Medical Treatment
Thomas Markle moved to the Philippines in 2025 following a series of strokes.
He is reportedly now living in a rehabilitation centre in Florida, where he is learning to walk again after having a leg amputated during surgery in December 2025.
The BBC has contacted him for further comment on the allegations.
Meghan and Her Father’s Relationship Broke Down Before Royal Wedding
The relationship between Meghan and her father, a former television lighting director, deteriorated in the run-up to her 2018 wedding to Prince Harry.
At the time, Thomas Markle was found to have colluded with photographers by accepting payment to stage photographs showing him preparing for the wedding.
Meghan is the only child of Thomas Markle’s marriage to her mother, Doria Ragland. He also has two children, Samantha and Thomas Markle Jr, from an earlier marriage.
It is understood that Meghan first learned of the allegations against her father shortly after marrying Prince Harry.
Duchess Says Her Thoughts Are With Children Who May Have Been Harmed
In her Friday statement, Meghan said she was deeply distressed by the allegations and expressed concern for any children who might have been harmed.
“I am deeply distressed,” she said. “My thoughts are with any children who may have been harmed.”
She described the allegations as “more sickening than one could ever imagine” and said her hope was that justice would be served.
“My sincerest hope is that justice will be fully served and that the priority remains the safety and protection of innocent children,” she said.
