In 2025, Duchess Meghan confronted her father with a letter delivered to his hospital bed over child sexual abuse allegations

Letter addressed the allegations

Meghan said she first learned of allegations against her father in 2018, when London’s Metropolitan Police shared a letter outlining related claims. She and Prince Harry then decided to prevent her father from having contact with their children.

BBC News, CBS News’ British partner, reported that Meghan confronted him about the allegations last year in a letter delivered to his hospital bed. The article does not specify when in 2025 the letter was delivered.

In a statement last week, Meghan said the distance from her father and her decision to bar contact with the children were intended to protect them. She also said she was deeply distressed by news of the investigation into him.

Markle rejects key claims

Thomas Markle Sr., 82, told the Mail he did not remember what his daughter’s letter said, adding that she was probably right if she said she had written it. He also told the tabloid he had never downloaded child sexual abuse material and called the allegations “sick lies.” In a later Mail report, Markle said he had paid for sex in the Philippines. He again denied possessing child sexual abuse materials and said he had never had sex with anyone under 18.

Police review earlier correspondence

The Sun reported that police were made aware of several claims against Markle in 2019, including alleged sexual abuse of a child, and passed them to Meghan’s office at the time. A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said officers from its Royalty and Specialist Protection Command were reported to have been involved in passing on a letter in 2018. The force said it was making internal enquiries to confirm this. The article says London police are not currently investigating Markle.

Public response remains uncertain

Roya Nikkhah, royal editor of the Sunday Times and a CBS News contributor, said the recent revelations were likely to bring Meghan new public sympathy. She noted that previous public discussion had focused more on Harry and Meghan’s departure from the royal family and their comments about it. Nikkhah said she was unsure whether the events involving Meghan’s father would change public views about what the couple had said and done since leaving.