UK police probe white powder sent to royal couple

By Ahmet Gurhan Kartal

LONDON (AA) - The British police have launched an investigation after an envelope containing suspicious white powder was sent to Prince Harry and his fiancé Megan Markle, according to a local daily on Thursday.

The Evening Standard said the letter addressed to the royal couple at the Kensington Palace "sparked a full security scare with specialists being rushed in to check the material".

The package was intercepted before it reached the couple and an analysis of the powder found that it was harmless.

"Police are investigating after a package containing a substance was delivered to St James's Palace on Monday, 12 February," a police statement said over the incident.

"The substance was tested and confirmed as non-suspicious. Officers are also investigating an allegation of malicious communications which relates to the same package. No arrests; inquiries continue," it added.

The daily reported counter-terror officers were called to the palace on Feb. 12, a day before a similar package was reportedly sent to Home Secretary Amber Rudd, which also was found to be harmless.

The police think the two incidents are linked, according to the daily.

Prince Harry and the 36-year-old American actress Megan Markle are going to marry on May 19 at a small chapel in Windsor Castle.

The royal couple have been informed of the suspicious package, reports said.