The Metropolitan Police confirmed on October 24, 2026, that it received a letter in January 2019 containing a number of claims related to the Duchess of Sussex's father, Thomas Markle.

Scotland Yard stated that the letter was sent to the MPS Protection Command to raise concerns regarding the security of the Duchess of Sussex. The information was subsequently reviewed, and a decision was made to pass it to the office of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex for their awareness.

The Met Police emphasized that the specific details of the allegations within the letter were not shared with any other law enforcement agencies. This confirmation follows reports on Friday that images allegedly depicting child sexual abuse were found in the former home of Mr. Markle, who is 82 and based in the US. Mr. Markle has denied possessing any such images.

The Duchess of Sussex, in a statement, indicated she was informed of disturbing allegations concerning her estranged father in 2018. The allegations were initially reported by The Sun newspaper, which later stated the letter contained direct accusations of child sex abuse against Mr. Markle.

The Metropolitan Police is currently reviewing its handling of the matter in 2019. The force is also considering whether a referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is necessary to scrutinize their approach.

This development brings renewed attention to the complex relationship between members of the Royal Family and external individuals, as well as the protocols governing the handling of sensitive information received by law enforcement.

Further details are expected as the internal review progresses and any potential IOPC involvement is determined. The situation highlights the challenges in managing information that touches upon both personal security and potential legal matters, particularly when they involve individuals with international connections.

The Metropolitan Police's statement indicates a closed-loop system for this particular piece of information, ensuring it remained within the purview of the Duke and Duchess's representatives and did not disseminate to broader law enforcement networks.