London — Britain's Metropolitan Police said it had voluntarily referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct over how it handled a 2019 letter containing allegations about Thomas Markle, father of Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex^3,4.

The force said the letter, received in January 2019 by its protection command, alleged offending outside the United Kingdom and was passed to the office of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex rather than shared with other law-enforcement agencies^3,4.

Commander Adam Slonecki said the letter did not contain specific security information^3,4. He said the force intended to refer the allegations to relevant overseas agencies in the coming days^3,4.

The Met said the IOPC referral covers the decision not to inform other agencies and the decision to send the letter to the Sussexes' office⁴.

BBC reported the handwritten letter was sent by Roslyn Loveless, Markle's first wife, who divorced him in 1975 and died in 2024⁴. BBC also reported that Meghan said last week a letter shared with her made troubling allegations against her father and that she believed they were being investigated⁴.

The self-referral comes as Philippine authorities examine separate claims involving material from Markle's former home there, according to ABC News Australia and BBC^3,4. ABC reported that a laptop and other material from a former home were being examined³.

Thomas Markle has denied the allegations^3,4. BBC reported his daughter Samantha Markle has dismissed the claims as fake⁴. BBC said reports that the Met did not keep a copy of the letter, and what royal officials knew in 2019, were among questions outlets said the watchdog may examine⁴.