The Duchess of Sussex Accuses the Tabloid of Ethics Breach in Coverage from Father's Bedside
The Duchess of Sussex has alleged that the Daily Mail crossed "obvious ethical boundaries" by operating at the hospital room of her father, from whom she is estranged, after his claims that he had not gotten his daughter's communications.
An Open Plea and a Private Struggle
Thomas Markle publicly asked Meghan to visit him in a weekend interview, following having major surgery abroad.
However, a spokesperson for Meghan said that she had been attempting to reach her father and criticised the publication's actions.
"Given that a journalist from the outlet has stayed at her father’s side throughout, broadcasting each interaction and crossing obvious ethical lines, it has been extremely hard for the royal to contact her father privately, despite her efforts over the past few days," the representative said. "With the support of reliable and trusted contacts, her correspondence is now safely in his hands."
Publisher's Rebuttal
A representative for the parent company of the Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday denied unethical behaviour and stated that Mr. Markle was a friend of the reporter who interviewed him.
"After Thomas Markle was fell ill in the Philippines he contacted Caroline Graham and requested she travel to be with him," said the spokesperson. "As well as being a journalist, Caroline Graham has been a friend to Mr Markle for years. She has been with Mr Markle in hospital every day, providing him with care and support."
The company representative added, "It is entirely untrue that each interaction has been publicized, and the suggestion that ethical boundaries were violated is patently untrue and strongly contested."
Background of Estrangement
The row follows a period of difficulty in which Meghan is reported to have been trying to contact her father. Her team say they had faced challenges to find him or find a way to reach him directly.
Meghan has been estranged from her father since her wedding, when she married Prince Harry. The father-daughter bond soured further when a private letter she wrote to him, parts of which were published in the Mail on Sunday, an act she said "actually signalled the end of our relationship, not a reconciliation."
Upcoming Legal Battle
This incident comes weeks before the Duke of Sussex is scheduled to start a legal case against the owner of the Daily Mail over allegations of unlawful information gathering.
In that court case, scheduled for next month, the publisher is being sued by Prince Harry and a group of high-profile figures. The plaintiffs allege the newspaper group engaged in unlawful activities. The publisher strongly disputes all accusations.