Meghan Markle says child abuse image claims against her father were passed to Met Police in 2018

The Duchess of Sussex said she was “deeply distressed” over child sex image accusations against her father Thomas Markle, adding she was made aware of “disturbing allegations” against him in 2018 by the Metropolitan Police.

Meghan issued the statement after it was reported that her father, who she has been estranged from since her marriage to Prince Harry, was being investigated over claims he kept child sex images at his home.

She added that she had not allowed her father to meet the couple’s two children, Prince Archie, seven, and Princess Lilibet, five, to “protect them”.

In an interview with the Daily Mail, Thomas Snr denied possessing child sex images, calling the accusations “sick lies”.

In a statement, Meghan said: “I am deeply distressed at the news that has come to light in the last 24 hours, and my thoughts are with any children who may have been harmed.

“In 2018, a letter was sent to the Metropolitan Police and Royalty and Specialist Protection. That letter was subsequently shared with me.“It made troubling and disturbing allegations against my father and I was given assurances that these were being investigated.

“I hope it can now be understood that, despite certain media publications’ distortion over the years, any distance from my father and my choice to not allow him to have contact with our children, was for one reason: to protect them.

“I trusted that the authorities were doing the same for other families.

“Although the breadth of what has now been uncovered is more sickening than one could ever imagine, my sincerest hope is that justice will be fully served and that the priority remains the safety and protection of innocent children.”

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