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14th Nov 2021

Meghan Markle says Royals were “constantly berating” Harry over her relationship with her father

Katy Brennan

Meghan Markle

Harry apparently faced criticism from his family about the Markle father-daughter relationship.

A series of texts and emails between Meghan Markle and her former communications chief, Jason Knauss, were released by London’s Court of Appeals on Friday amid an ongoing lawsuit with The Mail On Sunday.

In the messages, Meghan accuses the Royal family of “constantly berating” her husband over her relationship with her father.

Earlier this year, The Duchess of Sussex sued Associated Newspapers Limited (ANL), the publisher of Mail On Sunday, for articles that included parts of a private letter written by her to her father.

A High Court ruled that the publication of the letter was unlawful but now ANL is appealing that decision and arguing for a trial. It claims that Meghan wrote the letter knowing it could leak to the public.

Meghan’s father did not attend her wedding in 2018 and has given unflattering interviews about the couple in the past, as well as reportedly staging paparazzi photos for money.

The text messages reveal that she wrote the letter due to pressures from the Royal family.

She wrote:

“The catalyst for my doing this is seeing how much pain this is causing H.

“Even after a week with his dad [Prince Charles] and endlessly explaining the situation, his family seem to forget the context — and revert to ‘can’t she just go and see him and make this stop?’

“They fundamentally don’t understand so at least by writing H will be able to say to his family… ‘She wrote him a letter and he is still doing it.’

“By taking this form of action I protect my husband from this constant berating, and while unlikely perhaps it will give my father a moment to pause.”

After hearing the appeal, three senior judges said they would consider a decision and deliver a ruling at a later date. If ANL’s appeal is successful, the case could go to a full trial.