Why Meghan Markle is suing the Mail on Sunday
Prince Harry takes aim at press asDuchess of Sussex launches legal action
The Duchess of Sussex has launched legal action against the Mail on Sunday over a claim that it unlawfully published one of her private letters to her estranged father.
In the High Court claim against the newspaper, law firm Schillings accuses the Mail on Sunday and its parent company of alleged misuse of private information, infringement of copyright and breach of the Data Protection Act 2018.
The claim relates to an article in February which drew on a letter that Meghan sent to her father, Thomas Markle. He shared the letter, which he called a “dagger to the heart”, with the paper.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
In a personal statement on the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's official website, Prince Harry said that the royal couple felt forced to take action against “relentless propaganda”.
Harry said he had been a “silent witness” to his wife’s suffering as the “press pack” had “vilified her almost daily for the past nine months”.
In a particularly charged passage, he spoke of the spoke of the “painful” impact of intrusive media coverage, writing: “I lost my mother and now I watch my wife falling victim to the same powerful forces.”
The prince said his “deepest fear is history repeating itself,” adding: “I've seen what happens when someone I love is commoditised to the point that they are no longer treated or seen as a real person.”
Harry’s statement, which The Times says he wrote “by himself, without the help of any of his staff”, has already sparked debate.
Penny Junor, a royal author and the Prince of Wales’s biographer, said: “This feels to me like an over-emotional and somewhat ill-advised outburst.” Ingrid Seward, the editor-in-chief of Majesty magazine, said: “I don’t think the Queen would have necessarily known about this.”
Harry says Mail on Sunday readers were misled by the newspaper “strategically omitting select paragraphs, specific sentences, and even singular words,” in the reporting of the letter.
A Mail on Sunday spokesman says it will defend the case “vigorously”, adding: “We categorically deny that the Duchess's letter was edited in any way that changed its meaning.”
The lawsuit is being privately funded by the couple and any damages won will go to an anti-bullying charity.
The dramatic development comes as the royal couple come to the end of their tour in Africa, their first as a family with baby Archie.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise, refreshing and balanced take on the week’s news agenda - try The Week magazine. Get your first six issues for £6–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
The mental health crisis affecting vets
Under The Radar Death of Hampshire vet highlights mental health issues plaguing the industry
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
The Onion is having a very ironic laugh with Infowars
The Explainer The satirical newspaper is purchasing the controversial website out of bankruptcy
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
'Rahmbo, back from Japan, will be looking for a job? Really?'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Prince Harry, Princess Diana and the media
Talking Point Pundits say Diana would be ‘appalled’ by her son’s actions but might she have approved?
By Chas Newkey-Burden Published
-
Free app access for The Week’s subscribers during Royal Mail strikes
Speed Read If you have a subscription to The Week magazine you can read the digital edition on your tablet or phone
By The Week Staff Published
-
Is ‘Megxit’ misogynistic?
Why Everyone’s Talking About Prince Harry is calling for the widely used term to be replaced
By Kate Samuelson Published
-
Five revelations from the BBC’s Princes and the Press that sparked a royal feud
Under the Radar Royals furious about two-part documentary that shines light on inner workings of the households
By Kate Samuelson Published
-
Fox News host suggests connection between Prince Philip's death and Harry and Meghan interview
Speed Read
By Brendan Morrow Last updated
-
Inside Piers Morgan’s exit from Good Morning Britain
Under the Radar Host departs after clash with ITV executives over Meghan Markle mental health coverage
By Joe Evans Published
-
Are Harry and Meghan pushing it with their request for press privacy?
feature Couple have been accused of hypocrisy after granting interview to Oprah Winfrey
By Chas Newkey-Burden Last updated
-
Why Harry and Meghan’s Oprah interview is the ‘final straw’ for Royal Family
Today's Big Question Buckingham Palace reportedly blindsided by exclusive sit-down with chat show host
By Chas Newkey-Burden Last updated