How Meghan Markle kept the investigation into her father's child abuse allegations alive after Scotland Yard lost track of the accusations

Meghan Markle reportedly helped keep scrutiny of allegations against her estranged father alive after London's Metropolitan Police lost a letter warning that he could pose a risk to the British Royal Family.

The Duchess of Sussex retained a copy and supplied it when officers asked for the letter, written by Roslyn Loveless, Thomas Markle Sr.'s former wife, and sent to the Met's Fixated Threat Assessment Centre in January 2019. 

The specialist unit assesses potential threats to royals and other public figures, but officers were later unable to locate the original correspondence, according to The Times.

Loveless, who was married to Markle Sr. between 1964 and 1975, allegedly accused him of child sexual offenses and warned that he could pose a security risk to Meghan, Prince Harry and her mother, Doria.

The allegations were serious, but Markle Sr. has denied wrongdoing whilst according to The Telegraph, Loveless said she believed it was important for British security and threat-assessment teams to know about her former husband's alleged background.

The Metropolitan Police confirmed that it received Loveless' letter in January 2019 and passed it to the office of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex but when the force could not find the original, Meghan reportedly provided her own copy at police request.

The Met has acknowledged that it did not share the allegations with overseas authorities but it is reviewing how the matter was handled and considering whether to refer itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.

The branch can examine potential failings in policing and can recommend changes to the police force in order to prevent a repeat of the situation from happening once again in the future.

Meghan “distressed” to hear about Philippines child abuse findings

The letter has resurfaced amid a separate investigation into alleged child sexual abuse material reportedly found among Markle Sr.'s belongings as his son, Thomas Jr., told authorities he discovered the content in boxes connected to his father's former residence.

He immediately contacted law enforcement and according to reports, Markle Jr. alleged that the boxes included hundreds or potentially thousands of images of child abuse as authorities in the Philippines are examining evidence.

No guilt has been established and Markle Sr. has strongly denied the allegations, describing them as “sick lies” and claiming he was “set up,” according to The Times whilst Meghan said she was “deeply distressed at the news that has come to light.”

Her relationship with her father fractured before her wedding to Prince Harry in 2018, and she has maintained distance from him – particularly over concerns about the safety of her own children.