The Metropolitan Police has admitted that it failed to pass a letter containing serious allegations about Thomas Markle, the Duchess of Sussex’s father, to relevant law enforcement agencies overseas, despite receiving the document in 2019.
The force confirmed it had reviewed the letter — written by Markle’s first wife, Roslyn Loveless, who died in 2024 — and decided to forward it to the office of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex for their awareness rather than refer its contents to other police authorities. No investigation into Thomas Markle was opened, and no referral was made to American law enforcement. The Met is now reviewing its handling of the matter and considering whether to refer itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.
“The MPS is reviewing the handling of this matter in 2019 and considering whether a referral to the IOPC is necessary to review our approach,” the force said in a statement.
The letter alleged that Markle Sr., believed to have been living in Pennsylvania at the time of the alleged offences, had travelled to the Philippines and Thailand for unlawful purposes involving minors. Loveless claimed her former husband told her he visited those countries because, in his words, “12-year-olds are legal there.”
Institutional failings draw sharp criticism
Dai Davies, the former head of Scotland Yard’s royal protection command, expressed frank disbelief at the Met’s inaction. He said he was “frankly astounded that, the Police, having received this material, did not contact other relevant forces,” and argued that the nature of the allegations would have obliged officers to liaise with the Duke of Sussex’s protection team, the FBI, and other relevant agencies. The FBI has since indicated it would support Philippine authorities and assess whether Markle Sr. committed any offences under United States law.
A spokesperson for the Sussexes acknowledged that the Duchess may have been mistaken about the precise date of the letter she referenced. A friend of the Duchess told The Telegraph that she is “upset and really frustrated that, having effectively been told to stay quiet and having been given assurances it would be investigated, it appears nothing was done,” while also being “obviously pleased” that the force is now contemplating a referral to the watchdog.
Separately, The Telegraph reports that the Duchess sent her father a letter following the amputation of his leg last December, in which she accused him of being unsafe around children, stated he would never be permitted to meet her own, and urged him to seek professional help. The Met has not yet announced a final decision on whether it will refer itself to the IOPC.