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The Duchess of Sussex has alleged that the newspaper breached "clear ethical boundaries" by reporting from the hospital room of her estranged father, following his claims that he had not received his daughter's communications.

An Open Plea and a Secret Effort

Meghan's father publicly asked Meghan to visit him in a weekend interview, following having major surgery in the Philippines.

However, a spokesperson for Meghan stated that she had been attempting to reach her father and censured the publication's conduct.

"Given that a journalist from the outlet has remained at her father’s side throughout, publicizing each exchange and breaching obvious ethical boundaries, it has been exceedingly difficult for the duchess to contact her father privately, despite her efforts over the past few days," the spokesperson stated. "Thanks to trusted associates, her message is now securely in his hands."

Publisher's Rebuttal

A spokesperson for the parent company of the newspapers rejected unethical behaviour and stated that Mr. Markle was a friend of the reporter who spoke with him.

"When Thomas Markle was taken ill in the Philippines he reached out to the journalist and asked her travel to be with him," said the spokesman. "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 spokesperson added, "The claim is completely false that each exchange has been publicized, and the suggestion that journalistic ethics were violated is patently untrue and vehemently denied."

A History of Strain

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 locate him or establish a method to reach him directly.

Meghan has been distant from her father since her wedding, when she married Prince Harry. Their relationship soured further after a personal letter she wrote to him, parts of which were printed in the Mail on Sunday, an act she said "actually signalled the end of our relationship, not a reconciliation."

Upcoming Legal Battle

This disagreement precedes by weeks the Duke of Sussex is scheduled to start a lawsuit against the owner of the Daily Mail over claims of unlawful information gathering.

In that court case, set for next month, the publisher is being sued by Prince Harry and a group of high-profile figures. The plaintiffs allege the newspaper group carried out unlawful activities. The publisher strongly disputes all allegations.