Royal Security: Metropolitan Police Confirm 2019 Disclosure to Sussex Office

The Metropolitan Police have officially confirmed that they provided the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's office with a letter in 2019 detailing allegations of offending by Thomas Markle Sr. This verification occurred following reports released on Friday that the duchess's father possessed child sexual abuse images. Scotland Yard stated it received the document in January 2019, which included claims of activity outside Britain. The force clarified that while the information was shared with the Sussexes for their awareness, it was not passed to other law enforcement agencies.

The details emerged after The Sun reported that Thomas Markle Jr, the duchess's 60-year-old half-brother, discovered a collection of images at his former residence in Cebu, Philippines. Markle Jr told detectives there that he found hundreds, if not thousands, of such images on computers and mobile devices stored in four large boxes. His father lived in the property until returning to the United States in May after suffering a stroke. The report also noted that Markle Jr contacted the FBI in the US. Markle Sr has denied the claims, describing the accusations as sick lies in an interview with the Daily Mail.

A Met spokesperson explained that the letter was directed to the Protection Command to raise security concerns regarding the Duchess of Sussex. After a review, the force decided to pass the document to the couple's office. The spokesperson noted that the Met has conducted a thorough review of its systems and records regarding this matter. The force is currently examining how the issue was handled in 2019 and is considering whether to refer itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.

On Friday, Meghan stated through a spokesperson that she was deeply distressed by the news and that her thoughts were with any children who may have been harmed. She confirmed that a letter with troubling allegations had been shared with her and that she was assured an investigation was underway. She explained that her decision to limit her father's contact with her children was made solely to protect them.

The duchess, who is estranged from her father, has not met her children Prince Archie, seven, and Princess Lilibet, five. The couple recently relocated back to the UK from the US. Meghan initially said the letter was sent in 2018 but later corrected this to 2019. Her spokesperson noted that such a minor error was understandable when recalling events from more than seven years ago without a contemporaneous record. The spokesperson added that if the Met holds a time-stamped record proving the review happened in 2019, that should be the accurate reference point.

Sources indicated that although Meghan learned of the allegations in 2019, she remained publicly silent to avoid jeopardizing potential investigations. They explained that speaking out earlier could have triggered legal action against her.