World · October 23, 2026
Met Police did not launch child sex probe into Thomas Markle - as force hunts for 'disturbing' 2018 letter Meghan revealed after it emerged her father faces abuse photos investigation
Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, has expressed deep distress following reports that her estranged father, Thomas Markle, is under investigation regarding allegations of possessing child sexual abuse material. The Metropolitan Police have clarified that while they are currently searching for a 2018 letter related to these claims, no formal probe into Mr. Markle was launched by the force at that time. The Duchess revealed she was first made aware of 'disturbing allegations' against her father in 2018, shortly before her wedding to Prince Harry.
Read the original coverage
- CBS NewsMBFC: Right-Center
Meghan Markle reacts to
Read at CBS News ↗ - CNNAllSides: Lean Left (Digital)MBFC: Left-Center
Meghan ‘deeply distressed’ over child sex abuse image allegations against father | CNN
Read at CNN ↗ - Daily MailMBFC: Right
Met Police did not launch child sex probe into Thomas Markle - as force hunts for 'disturbing' 2018 letter Meghan revealed after it emerged her father faces abuse photos investigation
Read at Daily Mail ↗
Reported across the spectrum
- Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, is 'deeply distressed' by allegations against her father.
- The allegations involve the possession of images of child sexual abuse.
- Meghan and Thomas Markle have had a strained relationship for years.
- Thomas Markle did not attend the 2018 royal wedding.
- The Metropolitan Police are looking into the existence of a 2018 letter related to the claims.
Reported by only some outlets
- The Metropolitan Police explicitly stated they did not launch a child sex probe into Thomas Markle in 2018.
- The investigation into the 'disturbing' 2018 letter was revealed only after the current abuse photos investigation emerged.
Left-leaning outlets tend to emphasize…
focus on Meghan Markle's emotional reaction and personal distress while highlighting the historical strain in the father-daughter relationship.
Right-leaning outlets tend to emphasize…
emphasize the Metropolitan Police's clarification that no investigation was launched in 2018 and focus on the police 'hunt' for the specific letter.
Where coverage diverges
Coverage diverges along left/right lines — see Framing tab for specifics.
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