Story perspectives

Met reviews 2019 handling after Markle abuse probe

By Drooid · Oct 24, 2026, 10:07 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Met Police probes Markle

British Metropolitan Police gave a 2019 letter alleging child-sex-abuse images involving Thomas Markle to the Duchess.
The Met did not share the letter’s details with any other law-enforcement agencies.
Philippine police opened an investigation into Thomas Markle, 82, after his son turned over personal items.
The Met is reviewing its 2019 handling and may refer the matter to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

Summary

Thomas Sr. Amputated

Thomas Markle Sr. suffered a stroke, underwent left-leg amputation, and returned to the United States.
Samantha Markle called her brother’s claims “disgusting lies” and said he was trying to destroy their father.
Thomas Markle Jr. reported the images to the FBI Hotline, Pennsylvania State Police, and the National Centre for Exploited Children.

Summary

Meghan Wins Lawsuit

Meghan won a 2021 High Court privacy and copyright case against Associated Newspapers over her 2018 letter.
Two unnamed senior royals advised Meghan to write the five-page letter to her father after the 2018 wedding.
A Daily Mail reporter remained at Thomas Markle Sr.’s bedside, breaching ethical boundaries and hindering private contact.

History

Historical Context

The 1995 Panorama interview with Princess Diana raised concerns that later led to a Metropolitan Police probe into media privacy, foreshadowing the phone-hacking scandals that engulfed the UK press. The 2006 News of the World raid uncovered 11,000 pages on nearly 4,000 victims, prompting the 1997 Press Complaints Commission’s £5 million fund and today’s Thomas Markle and Meghan privacy battles revive demands for tighter oversight.

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Met Police probes Markle

British Metropolitan Police gave a 2019 letter alleging child-sex-abuse images involving Thomas Markle to the Duchess.
The Met did not share the letter’s details with any other law-enforcement agencies.
Philippine police opened an investigation into Thomas Markle, 82, after his son turned over personal items.
The Met is reviewing its 2019 handling and may refer the matter to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

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