Meghan Markle Was Warned by British Police Not to Speak About Allegations Against Her Father, Report Says

A newly reported 2019 letter has raised fresh questions about what British authorities knew about allegations involving Thomas Markle Sr. — and why the information was not shared with law enforcement agencies overseas for years.

Meghan Markle was reportedly advised by London police not to speak publicly about disturbing allegations involving her estranged father, Thomas Markle Sr., after she was shown a letter detailing the claims in 2019. According to a report cited by PEOPLE and originally published by The Sunday Times, the warning came from a police officer after Meghan received information contained in a letter sent to Scotland Yard by Thomas Markle’s former wife, Roslyn Loveless. The letter reportedly raised allegations of child sexual offenses and expressed concerns that Thomas could pose a security risk to Meghan and Prince Harry.

The Metropolitan Police had received the letter in January 2019 and passed it to the office of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex for their awareness. However, the force did not share the details with other law enforcement agencies at the time. Police reportedly considered the allegations to involve conduct outside the United Kingdom and did not investigate them directly. The officer who allegedly advised Meghan not to discuss the matter publicly has not been identified, and the Metropolitan Police has reportedly been unable to trace that individual. Meghan is said to have retained a copy of the letter and later provided it to police when they requested it.

The controversy resurfaced in October 2026, after new allegations involving Thomas Markle emerged in the Philippines. Meghan’s half-brother, Thomas Markle Jr., reportedly told authorities that he had discovered what he believed to be child sexual abuse images among belongings at his father’s former residence in Cebu. Philippine authorities confirmed that they were examining the materials and investigating their nature and origin. The allegations have also prompted attention from authorities in other countries. At this stage, the investigation has not established that Thomas Markle Sr. committed an offense.

Meghan addressed the situation in a statement shared with PEOPLE, saying she was deeply distressed by the reports and that her thoughts were with any children who may have been harmed. She also explained why she had kept her father at a distance and did not allow him to have contact with her children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. She said her decision was made to protect them and expressed hope that authorities would prioritize the safety of children and ensure that justice was served.

Thomas Markle Sr. has denied the allegations involving minors and the possession of child sexual abuse material. In an interview with the Daily Mail, he acknowledged paying for sex with adult women in the Philippines but insisted he had never had sexual contact with anyone under 18. His denials remain important as investigators examine the claims and the materials reportedly recovered. No conclusion of guilt should be drawn from allegations that are still under investigation.

The police handling of the 2019 letter is now facing scrutiny of its own. On October 30, the Independent Office for Police Conduct announced an independent investigation into the Metropolitan Police’s failure to pass the allegations to relevant overseas authorities at the time. Investigators are expected to examine who made the decisions and whether police procedures were properly followed. The case now involves two separate questions: what the allegations against Thomas Markle may ultimately establish, and whether police failed to act appropriately when they first received the warning years ago.

Source: PEOPLE