Meghan’s dealings with father laid bare

Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex has laid bare her financial dealings with her estranged father in the latest round of court documents, as she blames the deterioration of their “very close relationship” on the tabloid media.

The Duchess, in court papers filed by her lawyers, said she and Thomas Markle “had a very close father/daughter relationship throughout her childhood and remained close until he was targeted three years ago by intrusive UK tabloid media”.

She is now suing the Mail on Sunday over publication of part of her handwritten letter to him. In paperwork submitted to the High Court, the Duchess answers new questions about an “imputation” that she “failed to provide any or any real financial support for her father”, which she has said is false.

It includes revelations previously included only in a private letter, claiming Mr Markle’s medical bills were offset by the “significant payments” he received for media interviews, which “would appear to exceed and offset the excess medical cost of roughly $2500”. The disclosures are intended to counter claims that the Duchess has not provided financial support for her father.

The revelations are the latest in an ongoing series of legal disclosures relating to the High Court case, which will rule on whether the Mail on Sunday breached the Duchess’ privacy, copyright or data protection.

Associated Newspapers wholly denies all claims against it, particularly the suggestion that the letter was edited in any meaningful way.