The duchess, 39, is suing Associated Newspapers for invasion of privacy and copyright infringement over five February 2019 articles in the Mail on Sunday and on the MailOnline website that published portions of a handwritten letter to her father, Thomas Markle, after her marriage to Britain's Prince Harry in 2018.

Associated Newspapers is contesting the claim, and the full trial is due to be held later in the year at the High Court in London.

The duchess is seeking a summary judgement that would find in her favour and dismiss the newspaper's defence case.

Her lawyer Justin Rushbrooke argued that the publisher had "no real prospect" of winning the case.

"At its heart it's a very straightforward case about the unlawful publication of a private letter," he said on Tuesday at the start of a two-day hearing, held remotely because of coronavirus restrictions.

Rushbrooke said Meghan had every expectation that "a heartfelt plea from an anguished daughter to her father" would remain private.

Lawyers for the publisher argue that Meghan made personal information public by co-operating with the authors of a behind-the-scenes book about her and Harry, Finding Freedom.

She denies collaborating with the authors - though she acknowledges allowing someone close to her to speak to them - and the book is expected to feature prominently in the trial.

In October, judge Mark Warby agreed to Meghan's request to postpone the trial, scheduled to begin this month, until October or November 2021. He said the reason for the delay should remain secret.

Australian Associated Press