An American colonel has denied allegations in a US court case that he bragged about having sex with the Duchess of Sussex.
US Air Force Colonel Mark Anarumo, 54, allegedly sexually harassed an employee at a military college where he became president, including by making inappropriate comments about his sex life, according to court documents obtained by The Daily Mail.
He is said to have told several people, including young graduates, ‘that he had once had sex with Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex’.
A spokesperson for the 42-year-old duchess has not commented on 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 the troops with an American charity that sends celebrities to “engage with servicemen and women and boost army morale.”
US Air Force Colonel Mark Anarumo, 54, (pictured) allegedly sexually harassed an employee at a military college where he was president, in part by making inappropriate claims about his sex life, according to court documents obtained by The Daily Mail. He allegedly told multiple people “that he once had sex with Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex.” He has denied ever having sex with the duchess or bragging about having done so
Last night Colonel Anarumo vehemently denied he had ever had sex with the Duchess, and did not brag about it. He told the Mail: ‘Yes, I met Ms Markle when she visited the troops.
‘She was kind, sincere and engaging. We spoke for a few minutes on several occasions, in public settings, but nothing personal or inappropriate ever happened.
“No, I did not brag about anything between Ms. Markle and I. I only said that she was very kind in our dealings and made time for military personnel who wanted to meet her.”
He added: “My interactions with Ms. Markle in public lasted less than 20 minutes in total.”
The allegation – which is not only denied by Colonel Anarumo but also not supported by evidence – emerged in a document filed in April in the US courthouse in Washington, Vermont.
Norwich University, a military training center, is being sued for sexual harassment and discrimination by Elizabeth Kennedy, former vice president of development and alumni relations.
At the heart of her case is the alleged conduct of the university’s former president, Col. Anarumo, who served in both the U.S. Army and Air Force and who she alleges has long harassed and discriminated against her.
The formal civil complaint document states: “President Anarumo regularly recounted his sexual adventures during fundraising events.
‘During a trip to Georgia, Mrs. Kennedy was there and witnessed him telling two young alumni that he had once had sex with Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex.
“Mrs. Kennedy heard him make this statement repeatedly to the public in various work settings.”
Meghan toured 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 Air Field on December 9, 2014 in Bagram, Afghanistan
The claim document is freely available to anyone who requests it in the Vermont courthouse.
Among other alleged violations, Colonel Anarumo is being criticized for holding up the legs of a young female student as she did a handstand on a keg of beer during a fundraiser.
Shortly before the trial began, Colonel Anarumo resigned as president of Norwich University in January.
According to local media, he was under investigation for violating the university’s policies and “values” before he left.
Ms Kennedy is seeking damages, alleging she was forced to leave her job due to discrimination and intimidation.
A spokesperson for the University of Norwich said: ‘We are working towards a mutually acceptable solution.’
Colonel Anarumo denies all allegations of misconduct 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 chef Cory Vitiello in Toronto, where she was filming the television series Suits, which was the source of her growing fame.
Mr Vitiello was described as the city’s ‘No 1 Bachelor’ before he and Meghan moved into a terraced house. It was reported that the couple had been together for a few days before Meghan went on tour with the United Service Organisations (USO) charity.
The USO traces its origins to the beginning of American involvement in World War II in 1941.
Similar to the British Entertainments National Service Association, which organised programmes similar to the British sitcom It Ain’t Half Hot Mum, the aim was to entertain the troops.
Marlene Dietrich was one of the first celebrities to tour Europe during the war, posing in uniform on a tank.
Meghan Markle, left, takes a selfie with the crowd of soldiers as comedian Rob Riggle looks on during the USO Holiday troops visit at Bagram Air Field on Dec. 9, 2014 in Afghanistan
Meghan went on tour with the USO in December 2014 and was photographed at the US Incirlik Air Force base in southeastern Turkey, near Syria.
She was shown laughing on stage, along with other celebrities including Glee actress Dianna Agron and baseball pitcher Doug Fister.
The group sang White Christmas for the 5,000 airmen and support personnel at the base, joined by the commander of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Martin E. Dempsey.
According to Colonel Anarumo’s online resume, he served as Incirlik’s vice commander between July 2014 and July 2016.
During the same USO tour, Meghan visited American pilots at RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk, other bases in Europe and Bagram Airport in Afghanistan.
In Mildenhall, a post on the USO website said, “Markle showed off her signature five-inch heels” and Gen. Dempsey and his wife Deanie hosted celebrities at a Cambridge pub, where the general sang The Wild Rover.
Prince Harry, who first 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 service members. It was that event that inspired the Duke of Sussex, 39, to set up his Invictus Games for wounded veterans.
Prince Harry married Meghan at Windsor Castle in 2018. They stepped back from royal duties in early 2020 and now live in Montecito, California with their two children.