Britainupdated 53m ago2 min read
Meghan Markle Says 2018 Letter Sent to Met Over Thomas Markle Child Abuse Image Claims
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Meghan says she learned of disturbing allegations against her father in 2018. A letter to the Metropolitan Police about the allegations was shared with her.
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One story. Different accounts.
The Telegraph“Sources close to the Sussexes told The Telegraph that the Royalty and Specialist Protection Unit within the Metropolitan Police shared the letter with the Duchess”
BBC“It is not clear whether the police information about Thomas Markle was shared before or after Meghan and Harry's wedding.”
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2018 letter and estrangement
Meghan Markle said she was informed in 2018 about “disturbing allegations” involving her estranged father, Thomas Markle, and she said a letter containing those allegations was sent to the Metropolitan Police and Royalty and Specialist Protection before being shared with her. Meghan said she was “given assurance that these were being investigated,” and she added that her distance from her father and her decision “to not allow him to have contact with our children” had only one purpose: “to protect them.”
Meghan told People that she was “deeply shaken by the revelations of the last 24 hours,” and she said her thoughts were with “the children who could have been harmed.” Meghan also said she “trusted that the authorities were doing the same for other families,” and she said she hoped “justice will be fully served” with the priority remaining “the safety and protection of innocent children.”
Denials and investigation claims
Thomas Markle denied the allegations, and he told the Daily Mail that the accusations were “sick lies.”
Thomas Markle said, “I’m shocked, I’m hurt and I’m very upset that my son is making these accusations against me,” and he said, “This is bullshit. It’s just a bunch of lies. It’s sick.”
The reports Meghan responded to said Thomas Markle was under investigation by authorities in the Philippines for alleged possession of child abuse materials, and the Philippines state-run Philippine News Agency said the Department of Justice was investigating reports involving an octogenarian American national in Cebu province.
Meghan’s statement also tied the renewed attention to the earlier 2018 complaint, and she said the 2018 letter “made troubling and disturbing allegations against my father” and that she was given assurances those allegations were being investigated.
What the allegations say
Thomas Markle Jr. told The Sun that he discovered “hundreds, if not thousands” of child sexual abuse images in four large boxes at his father’s home in Cebu, Philippines. Thomas Markle Jr. said he was “horrified” and had “no option but to report my dad,” and he said, “I won’t speak to my father ever again unless I’m called to give evidence against him.”
“I won’t speak to my father ever again unless I’m called to give evidence against him.”
The Guardian said the Sun reported that Thomas Markle Jr. contacted the FBI in the US after discovering the images, and it said the images were stored on computers and mobile phones in the four boxes. The Guardian also said Thomas Markle Sr. had denied possessing child sexual abuse images and told the Daily Mail that the computers had not been in his possession since he left Rosarito, Mexico, in January 2025 and moved to the Philippines “for a fresh start.”