Meghan Markle’s family controversy has reportedly caught the palace off guard as authorities examine allegations involving her estranged father. The Duchess of Sussex publicly addressed the matter after reports emerged about Thomas Markle Sr.
A royal expert claimed Buckingham Palace was “blindsided” and unexpectedly pulled into another Sussex-related controversy. However, Thomas has denied the allegations. Meanwhile, Meghan said she was “deeply distressed” and stressed that she prioritizes protecting children.
Palace finds itself ‘dragged into another controversy involving’ the Sussexes, per expert
As per a Fox News report, Kinsey Schofield discussed the palace reaction. The royal commentator said she made “more than 40 phone calls” to royal sources. According to Schofield, “nobody I spoke to had heard anything” before the allegations became public. “My understanding is that Buckingham Palace was blindsided,” she said. Schofield added that the palace had been “dragged into another controversy involving” the Sussexes. However, Buckingham Palace had not publicly confirmed her characterization. Fox News said it contacted the palace for comment.
Meanwhile, the allegations involving Thomas Markle Sr. remain under investigation in the Philippines. Thomas has firmly denied wrongdoing. He told the Daily Mail, “I could never do what I’m being accused of.” He also called it “the worst thing anyone could accuse me of.”
Separately, the Metropolitan Police confirmed receiving a letter in January 2019 containing claims about alleged offending outside the United Kingdom. The force said it passed the information to the Sussexes’ office but did not share the allegations with other law enforcement agencies at the time. Following an internal review, the Met voluntarily referred its handling of the matter to the Independent Office for Police Conduct. It also said it intends to refer the allegations to relevant overseas law enforcement agencies.
Additionally, Meghan Markle issued her own statement after the reports surfaced. “I am deeply distressed at the news,” she said. She added that her thoughts were with “any children who may have been harmed.” Meghan said the earlier letter contained “troubling and disturbing allegations” involving her father. She also said authorities assured her that they were examining the matter.
The Duchess explained that she kept her distance from Thomas “to protect” her children. The Met confirmed January 2019 as the date it received the letter. Meghan initially recalled 2018, and her spokesperson subsequently acknowledged the discrepancy of a few months. For now, the Metropolitan Police’s review concerns its handling of the 2019 letter, rather than establishing any wrongdoing by Thomas Markle. Buckingham Palace has not publicly confirmed the expert’s characterization of its reaction.
