Meghan Markle Has Won Her Privacy Legal Battle Against Tabloid Who Printed Extracts of Her Father’s Letter

Meghan Markle never enjoyed the way the tabloids treated her when she was a senior member of the royal family including leading up to the wedding.

Before Meghan tied the knot with Prince Harry, she already felt attacked, and it didn’t help that her father did anything but avoid the media. Leading up the wedding, Harry sent texts to Meghan’s father to discourage him from talking to the media. It didn’t help.

Thomas Markle was absent from his daughter’s royal wedding. Health issues prevented him from walking her down the aisle as was the original plan.

Meghan wrote a letter to her father, and she claims that she intended for the contents of the letter to remain private. That’s the usual way with letters, after all. Unfortunately, that’s not what happened.

The Mail on Sunday and the MailOnline, both of which are published by Associated Newspapers, printed parts of Meghan’s handwritten letter. As a result, Meghan sued Associated Newspapers, and without even going to trial, she has won the case.

Judge Mark Warby explained his decision. He wrote that Meghan “had a reasonable expectation that the contents of the letter would remain private.” He added that Associated Newspapers “interfered with that reasonable expectation.” He didn’t see any reason that a different decision would be reached in court.

After the judge’s ruling, Meghan released a statement expressing gratitude “for holding Associated Newspapers and The Mail on Sunday to account for their illegal and dehumanizing practices.” She added, “For these outlets, it’s a game. For me and so many others, it’s real life, real relationships, and very real sadness. The damage they have done and continue to do runs deep.”

While Meghan is relieved by the decision, Associated Newspapers is not. A spokesperson described the company’s reaction as “surprised” and “disappointed.” Associated Newspapers didn’t think it was fair that they weren’t able to present all of their evidence in court. They are “considering the judgment’s contents and will decide in due course whether to lodge an appeal.”

Do you agree with the judge’s decision to find in Meghan’s favor? Do you think Associated Newspapers should appeal the decision?