Not long back, five of Meghan Markle’s friends came to her rescue defending her against the massive criticism she was facing – they gave an interview to the U.S. Magazine People telling bits of her life that wasn’t known to many. It is for the sake of Meghan’s battle against media that the interview was kept anonymous and Meghan also wanted the same for them. Meghan took the request to High Court and the court handed the Duchess of Sussex a major win.

According to the decision taken by the court on Wednesday, the identities of her friends will not be disclosed to the public. Also with the court decision, Meghan has received a major salvo of momentum  – the odds of the Duchess of Sussex's victory ongoing court battle against Associated Newspapers has slightly drifted towards her side. Meghan Markle’s ongoing battle against British media is sure to get strengthened post this grand victory of hers.

The Duchess has sued the publishers of outlets- the Mail Online, Mail on Sunday, and the Daily Mail for copyright infringement and breach of privacy. The legal battle began after Meghan claimed that Mail on Sunday published excerpts from her private conversation with her father Thomas Markle Sr. which she made through letters. The Associated Newspapers has stated that her claims are not true.

Earlier this year, in the first round of battle, Associated Newspapers had got a lead when the court turned down Meghan’s allegations that Associated Newspapers was unethical in their reporting of news. As per the proofs presented in the court, the Associated Newspapers cleared up its side that it didn’t have any harmful intent or agenda against Meghan and also that it didn’t involve in an activity that can be tagged as a breach of privacy. 

Meghan’s attorney, Justin Rushbrooke gave a written statement that disclosing the identity of her friends would be an ‘unacceptably high price’ for her claims against Associated Newspapers regarding the publishing of her private letters. The court found the arguments to be reasonable and hence decided in favor of the Duchess of Sussex.

Associated Newspapers’ attorney Anthony White, has labeled the non-disclosure of identities as the ‘curtailment’ of the rights of media to cover and report this case independently. The legal proceedings are sure to be a long haul, the first two rounds are over and new ones may be on the way. However, this time, the court decision must have come as great encouragement for Meghan to pursue the case against Associated Newspapers.