Meghan Markle only found out at baby shower that friends were behind People interview defending her

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Kit Heren18 July 2020

Meghan Markle only found out at her baby shower that her friend had spoken anonymously to a US magazine to defend her from tabloid "bullying", court documents have revealed.

Five friends of the Duchess of Sussex spoke to People magazine, with one telling reporters about the details of a letter she sent to her estranged father Thomas Markle that is the subject of legal action.

The confidante said: "“She’s like ‘Dad, I’m so heartbroken. I love you. I have one father. Please stop victimising me through the media so we can repair our relationship’.”

The duchess is suing Associated Newspapers, publisher of The Mail On Sunday and MailOnline, over articles containing parts of the “private and confidential” letter that she sent to Mr Markle.

Meghan Markle at Remembrance Sunday in 2019 
AFP via Getty Images

Her lawyers claim she only knew about her friend’s actions after the article was published on February 6 last year. They have responded to requests from Associated Newspapers’ legal team for more details on when the duchess found out that the five confidantes, only identified as A-E, were featured in the People article.

The document submitted to the High Court states: “The claimant realised Friends A, B and C had given anonymous interviews to People magazine upon learning that the article had been published.

“Her belief that they had been involved was confirmed during phone calls via FaceTime on the day of publication and the following day.

“The claimant learnt Friend D was one of the anonymous sources for the People magazine article on or around February 19 2019 when the two of them met in person.

“She subsequently learnt of Friend E’s involvement a few days later during a celebration with friends to mark the forthcoming birth of her son.

“This discussion also took place in person. All of these conversations took place post publication.”

Thomas Markle, Meghan Markle's father 
Channel 5

The duchess was seven months pregnant with her son Archie when she spent several days in New York with A-listers including Amal Clooney and Serena Williams for her baby shower, in reportedly the most expensive hotel room in the US, the Penthouse Suite in the five-star Mark Hotel, which at the time cost 75,000 dollars (£57,000) per night.

Lawyers for Associated Newspapers have argued that her five friends brought the letter into the public domain when it was referred to for the first time in their US magazine interview.

They maintain Mr Markle revealed the letter to correct the “false” impression the duchess’ friends gave about his actions in their interview.

Earlier in July the duchess applied to the High Court to stop Associated Newspapers from naming her five confidantes.

Serena Williams, who was at the baby shower, celebrates a Wimbledon title 
Kyodo News Stills via Getty Imag

A spokesman for The Mail On Sunday said the paper had “no intention” of identifying the friends but added the question of their anonymity was for the court to decide.

The duchess is seeking damages from Associated Newspapers for alleged misuse of private information, copyright infringement and breach of the Data Protection Act. Any damages won will be given to an anti-bullying charity, she said.

Associated Newspapers wholly denies the allegations, particularly the claim that the letter was edited in any way that changed its meaning, and says it will hotly contest the case.

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