Meghan Markle issues statement clarifying Met Police timeline as Duchess ‘mistaken by a few months’

However, Meghan claimed on Friday that she was shown said letter with “disturbing allegations” about her father in 2018.

The Duchess’s spokesman has now told GB News: “In recalling events from more than seven years ago, without the benefit of a diary entry or contemporaneous record, it is understandable that she may have been mistaken by a few months.

“If the MPS holds a time-stamped record confirming that the letter was reviewed in 2019, that should be treated as the accurate reference point for when it was received and shared with the Duchess.

“I think it is reasonable to recognise that she is doing her best to recall the precise timing of events that were not diarised at the time, and that any discrepancy of a few months is an understandable consequence of that passage of time.”

Earlier on Saturday, a Met spokesman said: “Following a thorough review of Met Police systems and records, we have confirmed that in January 2019, we received a letter containing a number of claims about alleged offending outside the United Kingdom.

“It was sent to the MPS Protection Command to raise concerns in relation to the security of the Duchess of Sussex.

“The letter was reviewed and a decision was made that it should be passed to the office of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex for their awareness.

“The details of the allegations in the letter were not shared with other law enforcement agencies.

“The MPS is reviewing the handling of this matter in 2019 and considering whether a referral to the IOPC is necessary to review our approach.”

Philippine authorities confirmed that they are looking into claims that the Duchess of Sussex’s father allegedly possessed a collection of child sexual abuse imagery.

That investigation began after Meghan’s half-brother, Thomas Markle Jr., reported finding the alleged material at their father’s former residence in the Philippines, according to The Sun.

Thomas Markle Sr. has strenuously denied all allegations.

In his interview with the Mail, Thomas Markle Sr said: “I’m shocked, I’m hurt and I’m very upset that my son is making these accusations against me. I could never do what I’m being accused of. It’s the worst thing anyone could accuse me of.

“This is bulls***. It’s just a bunch of lies. It’s sick. I have no idea why Tom is trying to destroy me with these lies.”

The FBI said in a statement: “The FBI is aware of the allegations and will provide support, as appropriate, to the Philippine authorities.

“We will also investigate any related allegations of federal violations of US law.”

Thomas Markle Sr’s eldest daughter Samantha Markle has defended her father and accused Thomas Jr of “making up lies” to make money.