MEGHAN Markle wrote a "painful" handwritten letter her dad after their relationship reached breaking point, a court has heard.
The "anguished" Duchess said she felt forced to write the "painful" letter as "a heartfelt plea from an anguished daughter to her father," Thomas.
The Duchess of Sussex, 39, is suing the Mail on Sunday for privacy copyright and data protection over five articles published in February 2019.
Lawyers for the Duchess today told the High Court the publication of the "intrinsically private, personal and sensitive" letter was a "triple-barrelled invasion of her privacy rights".
Follow our Meghan and Harry live blog below for the very latest news on the couple and the Royal Family
- Claire Hubble
MEG & HARRY HUNOUR US VETERANS
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex honored veterans in a heartwarming note as they donated free lunch to volunteers on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle took a page from the civil rights leader and gave a "small token" of their appreciation to the veterans-led organization The Mission Continues.
"In honour of this day of service, and in recognition of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and all that he stood for, we want to send our thanks and gratitude to the team at The Mission Continues," a note sent by Harry and Meghan to the organization.
"We're so proud of all the work you're doing to support your community and hope you enjoy this small token of our appreciation," the letter read.
"Thank you for your service – today and every day. we look forward to joining you soon!"
- Lottie Tiplady-Bishop
LAWYERS SHOOT BACK AT MEGHAN
Lawyers for Associated Newspapers Limited (ANL) claim it was written "to defend her against charges of being an uncaring or unloving daughter".
Antony White QC argued "there is a very real question as to whether the claimant will be able to establish that she had a reasonable – or any – expectation of privacy".
He said Meghan having a "fear" her letter might be intercepted showed she "must, at the very least, have appreciated that her father might choose to disclose it".
- Lottie Tiplady-Bishop
MEGHAN'S LETTER TO DAD WAS DELIVERED VIA 'TRUSTED CONTACT'
Meghan Markle's lawyers today took to court as part of her ongoing trial against the Mail on Sunday.
Justin Rushbrooke QC told the court Meghan had sent it to Thomas Markle "at his home in Mexico via a trusted contact … to reduce the risk of interception".
He described its subsequent publication as a "plain and serious invasion" of privacy.
- Lottie Tiplady-Bishop
MEG PLEADED FOR PEACE WITH DAD
Meghan Markle is suing the Mail on Sunday for privacy copyright and data protection over five articles published in February 2019.
This includes extracts from a handwritten letter she sent to her dad Thomas Markle, 76, in August 2018.
The last line – included in court documents – read: "I ask for nothing other than peace and I wish the same for you."
- Lottie Tiplady-Bishop
MEGHAN WARNED THOMAS ABOUT KIDS' PRIVACY
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry warned her dad he could risk their children's privacy if he staged paparazzi shots, a court heard today.
Lawyers for the Duchess today revealed Meghan and Prince Harry asked if he was staging photos, to which he told them he wasn't.
Thomas Markle was then told he could risk the privacy of any children they may end up having if he were found to be lying. The couple's son Archie was not born at this time.
Justin Rushbrooke QC said the issue was a "matter of concern" as the Duke and Duchess were ready to "go into bat" with a legal complaint to stop the pictures being run if he hadn't staged them.
- Lottie Tiplady-Bishop
MEGHAN MARKLE HAS 'PERFECT' FACE
Cosmetic surgeon Dr Frati believes Meghan Markle has the "perfect" golden ratio equation for her face.
He added that her ‘Disney’ style features could increase her golden ratio ranking.
Dr Frati said: “Meghan has a Disney face and it looks as if she could have had a tip rhinoplasty as her nose looks slightly slimmer in more recent years.
“I would also predict that she is a fan of lasers as she looks poreless and her skin is like glass, which is highly desirable.”
- Patrick Knox
MEGHAN'S LAWYERS SAY NEWSPAPER HAS 'NO VIABLE DEFENCE'
Lawyers for Meghan Markle today sought to avoid a potential court showdown with her estranged father, in a high-profile breach of privacy and copyright case she has brought against the Mail on Sunday.
The Duchess of Sussex is suing Associated Newspapers Ltd over publication of a letter she wrote to Thomas Markle before her wedding to Prince Harry in May 2018.
Her legal team has previously secured a postponement of a full trial but are now pushing for a judgment to be made in her favour, to prevent a further hearing with witnesses.
If the judge rules in her favour, then the case is over, barring an appeal from the defendants.
But if she loses, it will then go to a full trial later this year, potentially forcing the Markles to face each other in court and face cross-examination.
- Patrick Knox
DELAY EXPECTED ON EUGENIE REVEALING BABY'S NAME
Princess Eugenie is expecting her first child with Jack Brooksbank in early 2021, and while royal parents typically announce the name a couple of days after the birth, the couple may decide to break with tradition.
While the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge typically have taken around two days to announce the names of their newborns, other royals have waited a little longer to confirm the names of their youngsters.
The Duke and Duchess of York and did not formally announce Eugenie's older sister Princess Beatrice's name until almost two weeks after her birth in August 1988.
It's thought that Eugenie and Jack may also decide to wait a while before releasing their little one's name to the public.
- Lottie Tiplady-Bishop
MEG 'FELT FORCED TO WRITE LETTER' AFTER 'BREAKING POINT'
Meghan Markle felt forced to write a "painful" letter to her dad after they reached "breaking point", the High Court heard today.
The Duchess of Sussex, 39, is suing the Mail on Sunday for privacy copyright and data protection over five articles published in February 2019.
This includes extracts from a handwritten letter she sent to her dad Thomas Markle, 76, in August 2018.
Justin Rushbrooke QC said: "It was written, in short, by daughter who felt she had reached a breaking point with her father."
- Lottie Tiplady-Bishop
MEG'S LETTER TO DAD WAS A 'HEARTFELT PLEA'
Meghan Markle is suing the Mail on Sunday for privacy copyright and data protection over five articles – including a personal letter to her father – published in February 2019.
Lawyers for the Duchess today told the High Court the publication of the "intrinsically private, personal and sensitive" letter was a "plain and serious invasion" of privacy.
Justin Rushbrooke QC, representing the duchess, described the 1,250-word letter as "a heartfelt plea from an anguished daughter to her father".
- Lottie Tiplady-Bishop
MEGHAN AND THOMAS MARKLE SAGA CONTINUES
Meghan Markle claims publishing a letter she wrote to her dad was a "triple-barrelled invasion of privacy" as she fights to avoid a High Court showdown with him.
The Duchess of Sussex, 39, is suing the Mail on Sunday for privacy copyright and data protection over five articles published in February 2019.
- Lottie Tiplady-Bishop
COUPLE WON'T BE ABLE TO INFLUENCE THE CROWN – BUT WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?
Harry and Meghan will not be able to influnce other Netflix shows despite their huge deal.
But what does that mean?
A source said: ""Essentially that means The Crown's storyline, plots or subject matter cannot be altered by the Sussexes.
"In reality Harry cannot edit his controversial moments off Netflix just because he and his wife have a huge deal.
"While The Crown was broadly discussed, there was no hard bargaining by the Sussexes about that during the deal making.
"Their prime concern was solely the TV projects which they were focused on, their passions and very little else."
- Lottie Tiplady-Bishop
MEG & HARRY DIDN'T PUT UP A FIGHT OVER NETFLIX SHOWS
An insider has shared how Meghan and Harry were not fussed that they could not affect editorial decisions for other Netflix shows – including the Crown.
The source said: "The subject of The Crown was brought up, but the service has always stood firm that they leave the editorial of that show to film makers Leftbank and show creator Peter Morgan and unless a legal matter, there is no interference.
'The Duke And Duchess did not fight over this, which may be seen by some as odd given the next time period the show will cover."
- Lottie Tiplady-Bishop
MEG LABELLED AS NEW KIM K
Meghan Markle has been branded "the new Kim K" after striking her and Prince Harry's lucrative Netflix deal.
Aninsider for the streaming giant revealed the network had enjoyed a "relatively easy negotiation with the Sussexes" as they thrashed out their multi-million deal – which led to Meghan being labelled the "new Kim Kardashian".
The source added: "The Sussexes were more concerned and consumed about their own image and ideas rather than what else was being screened on Netflix."
- Lottie Tiplady-Bishop
ALMOST ONE YEAR AGO TODAY
One year ago tomorrow the couple took to their Instagram account to post about the UK -Africa investment summit 2020.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by The Duke and Duchess of Sussex (@sussexroyal)
- Lottie Tiplady-Bishop
COUPLE BANNED FROM INPUT IN ROYAL SHOWS
Netflix bosses refused to allow The Duke and Duchess of Sussex any editorial control or input on shows outside of their own $112 million deal, The Sun can reveal.
It means that Prince Harry cannot ask Netflix executives to scrap scenes from their biggest show The Crown – which is set to feature storylines about his childhood and his mother's death – from their upcoming seasons five and six.
Furthermore the California based couple will not be consulted about commissioning shows which may be deemed "anti Royal or have negative connotations for their wider family and friends" a Netflix insider revealed.
- Lottie Tiplady-Bishop
CAN YOU SOLVE THIS ROYAL RIDDLE?
"The former actress must have decided Rachel didn’t Suits her and that her middle name is fit for a princess, kind of."
What is the answer?
- Lottie Tiplady-Bishop
HOW DOES MEGHAN MAINTAIN HER GLOW?
Meghan Markle has always strenuously denied having any tweakments to maintain her glow.
While her face remains the same, it seems she has picked a darker shade for her raven locks.
But we know that Meghan, 39, loves facials and enjoys experimenting with skincare.
It was recently revealed that she enjoys Dernalux LED phototherapy facials as well as being a huge fan of facialist Nichola Joss and her unique inner facial technique.
- Lottie Tiplady-Bishop
LOOKALIKE?
Viewers of The Cabins have been left scratching their heads after newbie Ashleigh revealed she is a Meghan Markle look-a-like.
The 23-year-old farmer's daughter made her entrance on Friday night's show before moving into a cabin with fellow countryman Stuart.
One tweeted: "Megan who look alike? erm… #TheCabins."
Another commented: "Meghan Markle look a like?! Really?! #TheCabins."
A third even shared a picture of blind musician Stevie Wonder, musing: "Professional Meghan Markle lookalike? For who Stevie Wonder?"
- Lottie Tiplady-Bishop
MEGHAN AND HARRY'S NOTE TO VETERANS
- Lottie Tiplady-Bishop
MEG HONOURS VETERANS ON MLK DAY
Meghan and Harry sent a heartwarming note to veterans yesterday to thank them for their service in honour of Martin Luther King Day.
"In honour of this day of service, and in recognition of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and all that he stood for, we want to send our thanks and gratitude to the team at The Mission Continues," a note sent by Harry and Meghan to the organization.
"We're so proud of all the work you're doing to support your community and hope you enjoy this small token of our appreciation," the letter read.
"Thank you for your service – today and every day. we look forward to joining you soon!"
- Lottie Tiplady-Bishop
MEGHAN AND HARRY DONATE LUNCH TO VETERANS
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex donated lunch to a team of veterans on Martin Luther King Jr. Day yesterday.
The royal couple dished out free meals to the veterans-led organization The Mission Continues.
- Lottie Tiplady-Bishop
DELAY EXPECTED ON EUGENIE REVEALING BABY'S NAME
Princess Eugenie is expecting her first child with Jack Brooksbank in early 2021, and while royal parents typically announce the name a couple of days after the birth, the couple may decide to break with tradition.
While the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge typically have taken around two days to announce the names of their newborns, other royals have waited a little longer to confirm the names of their youngsters.
The Duke and Duchess of York and did not formally announce Eugenie's older sister Princess Beatrice's name until almost two weeks after her birth in August 1988.
It's thought that Eugenie and Jack may also decide to wait a while before releasing their little one's name to the public.
- Martha Cliff
ARCHEWELL 'AT RISK OF FAILING'
According to the Express Patrick Jephson voiced his concerns during a virtual conference promoting and protecting personal brands in the US.
He said: “If it departs very much from that great tradition of personal sacrifice and public service that defines the monarchy brand then I don’t believe it will succeed.
“One could argue that, at it's best, membership of the Royal Family gives you access to the most extraordinary and powerful brand in the world.
“To voluntarily divest yourselves of all those advantages in pursuit of something else is very daring – and we don't even know what that something else is.”
- Martha Cliff
ARCHIE IS LIVING AN ‘ENID BLYTON LIFE’
Analysing the Sussexes' latest Christmas card, body language expert Judi James claims the couple have made a conscious effort to protect their privacy while also presenting an idealised version of their new life in California.
She told Fabulous: "This digitalised picture seems to glorify the Enid Blyton-style childhoods of vintage storybooks, suggesting a very besotted-looking Harry and Meghan are set on creating a look of idyllic, rustic intimacy rather than posing up the garden in their multi-million dollar mansion.
"There is a suggestion from the pose that Meghan wants to contain and protect her precious family unit. Harry sits inside the tiny playhouse here, holding his face close to Archie’s and grinning at his son, who he holds with both hands."
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