Thomas Markle has claimed that he “never wanted” to leak parts of his daughter’s letter to the press until an article “changed his mind”. Meghan’s father opened up about the controversial decision in a witness statement that he submitted to the High Court as part of the Duchess of Sussex’ case against the Mail on Sunday. Royally Obsessed podcast hosts Rachel Bowie and Roberta Fiorito discussed what impact this was having on the fraught family bond.
Ms Fiorito told listeners: “In terms of a privacy argument, it seems that she has a very strong case.
“But there does seem to have been a lot of damage in the relationship between her and her father.
“In Thomas’ witness statement he claims that he had to defend himself against that People Magazine article.
“He says that that’s why he shared excerpts of the letter.”
READ MORE: Meghan Markle ‘unseen videos and photographs’ used by father Thomas
Ms Bowie added: “[Thomas] said that Meghan’s letter to repair the relationship actually did the opposite.
“He felt that it further damaged the relationship.
“He also said that her friends talking to People Magazine made him seem ‘dishonest’.
“The quote was ‘dishonest, exploitative, publicity-seeking, uncaring and cold-hearted’.”
The Duchess of Sussex is currently suing Associated Newspapers and the Mail on Sunday over an article which reproduced parts of the handwritten letter sent to her father in 2018 without her permission.
This is on the grounds of privacy, breach of copyright restrictions and breach of data protection.
At the moment, a summary judgement hearing is taking place at the High Court to see if the case can be decided on the facts without going to trial.
If a judge rules in her favour in the current hearing it would see the Duchess win her case without a full trial.
However if Meghan’s legal team are unsuccessful then the case will go to trial as normal in autumn this year.
