A letter sent to the Metropolitan Police making a number of claims relating to the Duchess of Sussex’s father was written by his ex-wife Roslyn Loveless, the BBC understands.

Meghan confirmed on Friday she had previously been informed about “disturbing allegations” about her estranged father, Thomas Markle.

On Saturday, the Met confirmed it received a letter relating to Markle in 2019, and it was shared with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex at the time.

It has been reported that images of child sexual abuse allegedly belonging to Markle, 82, had been found in his former home in the Philippines. Markle, who is based in the US, denies all such allegations.

Loveless, who has since died, is the mother of Meghan’s half-siblings Samantha Markle and Thomas Markle Jr. Loveless divorced Markle in 1975 before he married the Duchess’ mother Doria Ragland in 1979.

Meghan was born in 1981 and is the only daughter of Markle and Ragland.

In a statement shared on Friday, Meghan confirmed the existence of the letter and wrote: “I am deeply distressed… my thoughts are with any children who may have been harmed.”

She said she hoped it could be understood why she had largely cut off contact from her father and did “not allow him to have contact with our children”.

Meghan has been estranged from her father since 2018. The BBC understands she broke contact with him last year, telling him she and the authorities knew he had abused young girls.

Sources close to the duchess said Meghan warned Markle in a letter – sent while he was in hospital in the Philippines after having his leg amputated – that he would never meet his grandchildren.