Meghan Markle is apparently hoping her father, Thomas Markle, will not be called as a witness in her case against the Associated Newspapers and her lawyers filed the necessary papers to ensure that he won't be "airing dirty laundry" at London's High Court.
The court case was the topic in the recent episode of the Royal Rota podcast with royal commentator Chris Ship and Lizzie Robinson. Ship strongly believes that Meghan and Harry, and to some extent the royal family, do not want this trial to proceed because "everything will be aired" once the defendants' lawyers call on Thomas to the witness stand.
If Thomas goes to court, he will give evidence against Meghan that would put her, Harry, and the royal family in the most uncomfortable position. Thus, the lawyers of the Duchess of Sussex filed a summary judgment application to block Thomas from spilling sensitive details that will be picked up by the media.
Meghan's lawyers hope that Justice Warby will see that the defendants have no chance of succeeding to win this case. However, if the judge believes otherwise, then the trial will proceed in the fall of 2021.
It comes a source told The Sunday Times that it will be "traumatic" for the royal family if this case goes to trial as it will expose the operations in the palace and the drag members of the royal staff. Some royal insiders are reportedly hoping that Meghan will drop the lawsuit and move on from this unfortunate event in her life.
After its news outlet, Meghan sued the Associated Newspapers, Mail on Sunday, published parts of her private letters to Thomas before they became estranged. In October 2020, the 76-year-old former lighting director told The Sun that he was anxious to have his day in court and clear his name.
Thomas was actually upset when the judge agreed to move the trial date from January 2021 to the fall season upon Meghan's request. The duchess' father said that he wants this case to be done and over with because his health is failing and he might have no more time to tell the truth in court.
But Warby said Thomas might not necessarily have to be called to the witness stand and face-off with his daughter or see his son-in-law, Prince Harry, in person for the first time. If Thomas has health issues, he can provide a video account of his testimony for the defense.
The judge also said that he can't say Meghan's dad would be an "important witness" to the case. Thomas' testimony is apparently not an essential component of the lawsuit on data privacy breach.
