The Duchess of Sussex has claimed that the newspaper breached "clear ethical boundaries" by operating at the bedside of her estranged father, following his claims that he had not received his daughter's messages.
A Public Appeal and a Secret Effort
Thomas Markle publicly asked Meghan to see him in a recent newspaper interview, following undergoing serious surgery abroad.
Nonetheless, a spokesperson for Meghan stated that she had been attempting to reach her father and censured the publication's actions.
"Given that a Daily Mail reporter has stayed at her father’s side throughout, publicizing each interaction and breaching clear ethical lines, it has been exceedingly difficult for the royal to contact her father privately, despite her attempts over the past several days," the representative stated. "With the support of reliable and trusted associates, her message is now safely in his hands."
Outlet's Denial
A spokesperson for the publishing group of the Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday rejected any ethical breach and stated that Mr. Markle was a friend of the journalist who spoke with him.
"When Thomas Markle was fell ill in the Philippines he contacted the journalist and asked her travel to be with him," stated the spokesman. "Not only is she a journalist, she has been friends with Mr Markle since 2018. She has been with Mr Markle in hospital every day, offering him care and support."
The spokesperson continued, "It is entirely untrue that each interaction has been broadcast, and the allegation that ethical boundaries were breached is demonstrably false and vehemently denied."
Background of Estrangement
The dispute follows a period of difficulty in which Meghan is reported to have been attempting to reach her father. Her representatives say they had faced challenges to find him or find a way to communicate with him privately.
Meghan has been estranged from her father since 2018, when she married Prince Harry. Their relationship soured further after a personal letter she wrote to him, extracts of which were published in the Sunday paper, which she said "actually signalled the end of our relationship, not a reconciliation."
Upcoming Legal Battle
This incident precedes by weeks the Duke of Sussex is scheduled to start a legal case against the publisher of the Daily Mail over allegations of unlawful information gathering.
In that trial, set for next month, the publisher is being taken to court by Prince Harry and a group of high-profile individuals. The plaintiffs contend the newspaper group carried out illegal practices. The publisher vehemently denies all allegations.
