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Meghan Markle's father asks his daughter to talk to him 0:33
(CNN) - Thomas Markle, Meghan's father, Duchess of Sussex, could end up testifying against her in a possible judicial battle over the treatment she has received from the UK media.
Meghan filed a lawsuit last year against the Mail on Sunday newspaper for allegedly illegally publishing a letter she wrote to her father.
But court documents submitted by the newspaper on Tuesday reveal that he is part of the newspaper's defense, reports the Daily Mail, its sister publication.
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It is still unclear whether Markle will testify, if the case reaches the court, but these documents seem to show that Meghan's father has been cooperating with the defense, which makes him a possible witness.
The Mail on Sunday and the parent company Associated Newspapers will argue that there was a "huge and legitimate" public interest in members of the royal family and their "personal relationships," according to newspapers, the UK news agency PA reported.
The documents reveal that the Mail on Sunday will use evidence from Markle, including the argument that "he had the right to tell his version of what had happened between him and his daughter, including the content of the letter," reports PA.
The Mail on Sunday told CNN that it would not make any official comments.
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As a result, father and daughter could end up facing after years of speculation about their tense relationship. Media reports have focused on a collapse in father and daughter communication, and Markle did not attend Meghan's marriage to Prince Henry, citing health problems.
Sussex's family lawyers, Schillings Partners, declined to comment, and Markle's representatives did not immediately respond to CNN's request for comment.
The case is the latest development in a dramatic period for the royal family.
On January 8, Enrique and Meghan made a surprising announcement that they intended to "withdraw" from royal duties and "forge a new progressive role" in the family.
In response, the queen called a high-ranking royalty crisis meeting, after which the family announced that a "transition period" had been agreed, while details of the new Sussex role are resolved.
Meghan is currently in Canada, where she and Enrique are expected to live part-time during this period.
Meghan Markle
