An American colonel has denied allegations in a US court case that he boasted about sleeping with the Duchess of Sussex.
US Air Force Colonel Mark Anarumo, 54, is alleged to have sexually harassed a female employee at a military university where he became president, in part by making inappropriate statements about her sex life, court documents obtained by The Daily Mail reveal.
He is alleged to have told several people, including young graduates, “that he once had sexual relations with Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex.”
A spokesperson for the 42-year-old duchess has not responded to the claim.
In 2014, Meghan visited a US Air Force base in Turkey, where Colonel Anarumo was then deputy commander.
The future royal went to the Incirlik base to entertain troops with an American charity that sends celebrities to “interact with service members and boost military morale.”
US Air Force Colonel Mark Anarumo, 54 (pictured), is alleged to have sexually harassed a female employee of a military college where he became president, in part by making inappropriate claims about her sex life, court documents obtained by The Daily Mail reveal. He is alleged to have told multiple people “that he once had sexual relations with Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex”. He has denied having sex with the duchess or boasting about doing so.
Last night, Colonel Anarumo emphatically denied having sex with the Duchess or boasting about doing so, telling the Mail: “Yes, I met Ms Markle while she was visiting the troops.
‘She was kind, sincere and pleasant. We spoke for a few minutes on several occasions, in public places, but nothing personal or inappropriate ever happened.
‘No, I didn’t brag about anything between Ms. Markle and I. I just said that she was very gracious in our interactions and made time for the servicemen and women who wanted to meet her.’
He added: “My interactions with Ms. Markle lasted less than 20 minutes in public settings.”
The claim, which is not supported by evidence but is denied by Colonel Anarumo, was made in a document filed in April in a court in Washington, Vermont, United States.
Norwich University, a military training center, is being sued by its former vice president for development and alumni relations, Elizabeth Kennedy, for sexual harassment and discrimination.
At the heart of her case is the alleged conduct of the university’s former president, Colonel Anarumo, who served in the U.S. Army and Air Force and who she says long harassed and discriminated against her.
The formal civil complaint document states: ‘President Anarumo periodically recounted his sexual exploits at fundraising events.
‘During a trip to Georgia, Ms Kennedy was present and witnessed him telling two young former students that he had once had sexual relations with Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex.
‘Mrs. Kennedy heard him repeat this statement to audiences in a variety of work settings.’
Meghan went on tour with the USO in December 2014. During the tour, she visited American airmen at RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk, other bases in Europe and Bagram Airport in Afghanistan. The Duchess, center, is pictured with service members during the USO holiday troop visit at Bagram Airfield on December 9, 2014 in Bagram, Afghanistan.
The claim document is available free of charge to anyone who makes inquiries to the Vermont court.
Among other alleged misdemeanors, Colonel Anarumo is being criticized for having held the legs of a young student while she was doing a handstand on a beer keg at a fundraising event.
Shortly before the trial began, Colonel Anarumo resigned from his position as president of Norwich University in January.
Local media reported that he was under investigation for violating university policies and “values” before he resigned.
Ms Kennedy is seeking compensation, alleging that discrimination and harassment forced her to leave her job.
A Norwich University spokesperson said: “We are working towards a mutually acceptable resolution.”
Colonel Anarumo denies all allegations of irregularities committed against him.
The future Duchess of Sussex was granted a “no-fault” divorce from her first husband, Trevor Engelson, in February 2014.
Later that year, she began a new relationship with celebrity chef Cory Vitiello in Toronto, where she filmed the television show Suits, the source of her growing fame.
Mr Vitiello was described as the city’s “number one bachelor” before he and Meghan moved into a townhouse, and there were reports the couple were together for a few days before she left on tour with the United Service Organisations (USO) charity.
The USO had its origins at the beginning of the United States’ late entry into World War II in 1941.
Like Britain’s National Entertainment Service Association, which put on shows such as those depicted in the British television comedy It Ain’t Half Hot Mum, the aim was to entertain the troops.
Marlene Dietrich was one of the first celebrities to travel around Europe during wartime, posing on a tank in her uniform.
Meghan Markle, left, takes a selfie with the audience of soldiers as comedian Rob Riggle looks on during the USO Holiday troop visit at Bagram Air Field December 9, 2014 in Afghanistan
Meghan toured with the USO in December 2014 and was photographed at the Incirlik US Air Force Base in southeastern Turkey, near Syria.
She was shown smiling and performing on stage alongside other celebrities, including Glee actress Dianna Agron and baseball pitcher Doug Fister.
The group sang “White Christmas” to the base’s 5,000 airmen and support personnel, joined by Joint Chiefs of Staff Commander Gen. Martin E. Dempsey.
Colonel Anarumo’s online CV says he was deputy commander of Incirlik between July 2014 and July 2016.
On the same USO tour, Meghan visited American airmen at RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk, other bases in Europe and Bagram Airport in Afghanistan.
At Mildenhall, according to a post on the USO website, “Markle flaunted her signature five-inch heels,” and General Dempsey and his wife Deanie welcomed celebrities to a Cambridge pub, where the general sang The Wild Rover.
Prince Harry, who met Meghan two years after she entertained troops at the Turkish base, also has ties to the USO.
The charity sponsored the 2013 Warrior Games, the US military’s competitive event for wounded or sick servicemen. It was that event that inspired the Duke of Sussex, 39, to establish his Invictus Games for wounded veterans.
Prince Harry married Meghan at Windsor Castle in 2018. By early 2020 they had stepped back from royal duties and now live with their two children in Montecito, California.
