By James Simons-
Meghan Markle’s case against the Mail on Sunday kicks off tomorrow. The former Dutchess of Sussex is suing the paper for breach of privacy, copyright and data protection laws in a case that concerns a letter to her father, Thomas Markle.
The case underlines the tension between the former royals and the British press which has reached boiling point . Harry recently vowed not to ever engage with the British press after the lengths to which the press had gone . Lawyers will argue Markle Sr. had been attacked by a group of Meghan’s celebrity friends in an article they did with People. Lawyer’s for the paper are arguing that friends for Meghan planned to mischaracterise the letter Meghan sent to her father in August 2018, as friendly.
The Duchess is claiming damages over a breach of her privacy , and her legal team claim the letter was “self-evidently private and confidential” , as well as a breach of data protection and copyright. The Duchess of Sussex’s lawyers say letter was sent during “a time of great personal anguish and distress” in the months after her 2018 Windsor Castle wedding to Prince Harry.
Lawyers for The Mail On Sunday and MailOnline have claimed that the Duchess of Sussex’s “immaculate” handwriting in a letter to her father is proof she intended it to be published.
Documents submitted to the High Court by the publisher’s legal team stated: “It is to be inferred that the letter was written and sent by the claimant with a view to it being read by third parties and/or disclosed to the public, alternatively knowing that the same was very likely.” It read: “It is apparent from the letter that the claimant took great care over its presentation.
“The letter appears to have been being immaculately copied out by the claimant in her own elaborate handwriting from a previous draft.
“There are no crossings-out or amendments as there usually are with a spontaneous draft.
“It is to be inferred also from the care the claimant took over the presentation of the letter that she anticipated it being disclosed to and read by third parties.” However, before landing her role in hit US TV series Suits, Meghan earned an income teaching calligraphy(the art of decorative handwriting) and also by creating custom invitations for weddings and other events.
When Ms Markle announced the legal action, Prince Harry issued a statement condemning the U.K. media in strong terms. He described Meghan as “one of the latest victims of a British tabloid press that wages campaigns against individuals with no thought to the consequences—a ruthless campaign that has escalated over the past year, throughout her pregnancy and while raising our newborn son.”