Meghan suit set for hearing in UK High Court

LONDON — A preliminary hearing in the Duchess of Sussex’s legal case against a British newspaper is set to take place in Britain’s High Court on Friday as Meghan challenges the publication of a letter she wrote to her father.

Meghan is suing the Mail on Sunday and its parent company, Associated Newspapers, for publishing a letter she wrote to her father, Thomas Markle. The civil lawsuit accuses the newspaper of copyright infringement, misuse of private information, and violating the U.K.’s data protection law.

Associated Newspapers denies the allegations — particularly the claim that the letter was presented in a way that changed its meaning. It intends to vigorously fight the case.

Lawyers for Associated Newspapers will ask the court to strike out parts of Meghan’s case ahead of a full trial of the issues, arguing that allegations of “dishonesty and malicious intent” should not form part of her case. The hearing will be held remotely.

Analysts have compared the case to the late Princess Diana’s lawsuit over photographs showing her exercising on gym equipment. The case was settled before it was to be heard.

Thomas Markle’s strained relationship with his daughter has complicated Meghan’s entry into the royal family.

He had been due to walk Meghan down the aisle at her May 2018 wedding, but pulled out at the last minute, citing heart problems. The former television lighting director has given occasional interviews to the media, complaining in December 2018 that he’d been “ghosted” by his daughter after the wedding.