Advertisement
Advertisement
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry
Get more with myNEWS
A personalised news feed of stories that matter to you
Learn more
Meghan Markle is seen far left, with nephew Tyler second from right, in an undated photograph. Photo: Facebook

Meghan Markle’s nephew took knife to nightclub ‘because Donald Trump said London was like a war zone’

Tyler Dooley, a cannabis farmer who was not invited to the wedding, freely handed over the knife to a London bouncer

Tyler Dooley, nephew of Britain’s newest royal Meghan Markle, took a knife to a London nightclub and then blamed US President Donald Trump’s warnings about the dangers of the British capital when he was stopped, it has emerged.

Dooley, 25, a cannabis farmer who was not invited to the royal wedding on Saturday in Windsor, handed the four-inch blade to a bouncer outside the club in Kingston, southwest London, just hours after the royal wedding, British tabloid The Sun reported on Monday.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry release official wedding photos

The Sun quoted Dooley as telling someone outside the club: “I just brought it because Donald Trump said London was like a war zone. I had it for protection”, and said that when he was approached at his hotel by a reporter, he “hid inside a bin cupboard”.

Tyler Dooley, Meghan Markle's nephew, is seen in this undated photograph. Photo: LinkedIn
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle kiss after their wedding ceremony at St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle in Windsor, near London, on Saturday. Photo: pool photo via AP

London’s Metropolitan Police did not name Dooley but confirmed that they were called by security to the club “after a man openly declared he had a knife as he attempted to enter the club”.

“When officers arrived at 01.55 hrs enquiries led them to a hotel in Kingston and two men in their 20s were spoken to by officers in connection with the incident,” the statement said.

Anger over Donald Trump’s comments on European shootings and stabbings

“One of the men also voluntarily surrendered a noxious spray. Both men, who were visitors to the UK, were warned about their actions.

“Neither was arrested, no further action was taken and enquiries are complete.”

Meghan Markle (left) is seen as a youth with nephew Tyler (far right) and her father, Thomas Markle Snr. Photo: Facebook

It is illegal to carry any knife in a public place in England except for folding pocket knives with blades measuring three inches (7.62 centimetres) or less.

Police commander Sally Benatar was quoted in the statement as saying, “The items were handed over voluntarily and there was no ongoing risk so the investigation was closed with warnings given”.

Dooley flew into London last week with his brother and mother, the ex-wife of Markle’s half-brother Thomas, who was also not invited to the nuptials.

The run-up to the royal wedding was overshadowed by the media circus surrounding Markle’s family. Her father pulled out at the last minute after getting caught up in a paparazzi scandal and then undergoing a heart operation. Her mother, Doria Ragland, was the only family member to attend.

Tyler Dooley, Meghan Markle's nephew, with his mother, Tracy. Tracy is the ex-wife of Markle's half-brother Thomas. Photo: Facebook

Trump has stirred controversy with repeated references to security issues in Britain.

In a speech at the National Rifle Association in Texas this month, he talked about knife crime in London, comparing a hospital in the city to a “war zone”.

Knife-related crimes rose by 23 per cent in London last year, and a spate of stabbings and shootings have left more than 50 people dead this year.

This article appeared in the South China Morning Post print edition as: Markle nephew caught with knife ‘blames Trump’
Post