Meghan Markle’s niece backs estrangement after allegations against grandfather
Noelle Rasmussen, Thomas Markle’s granddaughter and Meghan Markle’s niece, said allegations that he possessed child sexual abuse images were “not a surprise” and that she had long sensed something was wrong. Philippine authorities are investigating the 82-year-old; he denies wrongdoing and says he paid for sex only with adults.
Rasmussen also recalled her grandmother, Roslyn Loveless, writing to the Metropolitan Police in 2019 with allegations against Markle. Reports say the letter was misplaced and not passed to international agencies, and the Met is assessing whether to refer its handling to a watchdog. Rasmussen supports Meghan’s decision to distance herself from her father, while Meghan’s half-sister Samantha has challenged the credibility of the allegations.
In short
- Thomas Markle denies allegations and is under investigation in the Philippines.
- His granddaughter says the claims do not surprise her.
- Police are assessing their handling of a 2019 letter.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Rasmussen’s account and the allegations warrant serious scrutiny, and Meghan may reasonably choose distance to protect her wellbeing and uphold her boundaries. The reported handling of Loveless’s letter also raises questions about whether concerns were properly passed on, supporting calls for accountability while the investigation proceeds.
The case against
The allegations remain unproven, and Markle denies wrongdoing, saying he paid for sex only with adults; fairness requires care not to treat suspicion or family recollections as proof. Samantha’s challenge to the allegations’ credibility reflects a defensible concern that serious claims should be tested through evidence and due process, while family estrangement is a personal decision outsiders cannot fully assess.
Explained simply
Meghan Markle is a member of the British royal family through her marriage to Prince Harry. Her father, Thomas Markle, lives in the Philippines; his granddaughter Noelle Rasmussen is Meghan’s niece. Meghan and her father have been estranged for several years.
The Metropolitan Police is the force responsible for policing London, and it can share information with authorities in other countries. In this case, reports concern a letter sent to the force in 2019 and whether it was handled properly. The allegations about Thomas Markle are being investigated by Philippine authorities, and he denies wrongdoing.
The story involves both a family split and questions about how reports of serious crimes are handled across borders. Meghan’s half-sister Samantha has disputed the credibility of the allegations, while Rasmussen has supported Meghan’s distance from her father.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “Thomas Markle’s granddaughter says ‘something was off’ about him… and ‘she recalls her grandmother writing a letter’ as she speaks out in wake of child sex image allegations”.