Samantha Markle, Meghan Markle’s estranged half-sister, has reignited her legal battle against the Duchess of Sussex, claiming that Meghan has defamed her and left her reputation in tatters. This fresh legal action comes after a previous court ruling dismissed Samantha’s claims, describing her accusations as insufficiently supported.
The 59-year-old is appealing a decision made in March by Florida Judge Charlene Edwards Honeywell, who rejected Samantha’s defamation lawsuit against Meghan Markle. The judge stated that Samantha “failed to identify any statements that could support a claim for defamation.”
Samantha’s latest move involves challenging this ruling, asserting that Meghan has painted her as a “lying, racist, fame-seeker” on a global stage. According to the court documents obtained by The Sun, Samantha argues that this portrayal has irreparably harmed her reputation, making it impossible for her to work or even go about daily life without harassment. The documents claim that Meghan’s comments during her 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey and the Netflix documentary Harry & Meghan contributed to this alleged defamation.
Previous Legal Setback
In March, Judge Honeywell dismissed the lawsuit with prejudice, meaning Samantha could not refile it without an appeal. The judge stated that Meghan’s comments during the Oprah interview were “substantially true” and did not rise to the level of defamation. Meghan had described herself as growing up as an only child and suggested that Samantha only changed her last name to Markle after Meghan’s relationship with Prince Harry became public. Samantha argued that these statements subjected her to “humiliation, shame, and hatred on a worldwide scale.”
Judge Honeywell concluded that Meghan’s comments were expressions of her personal opinion and did not qualify as defamatory. She also determined that Meghan’s claim about Samantha’s name change was “substantially true,” noting that Samantha had indeed reverted to using the Markle surname after Meghan’s engagement to Prince Harry was announced.
The judge criticized the inclusion of statements from Prince Harry in the Netflix documentary, calling them irrelevant to Samantha’s defamation claims. “That this statement was included in the complaint is perplexing and suggests haste, a misunderstanding of the law, or a lack of diligence on the part of plaintiff’s counsel,” Judge Honeywell wrote in her ruling.
Seeking $75,000 in Damages
Samantha Markle is seeking at least $75,000 in damages, accusing Meghan of defamation and defamation by implication. Her legal team argues that Judge Honeywell failed to consider the implied defamation created by the omission of certain facts. Samantha insists that the case should go to trial, and her lawyers are requesting an oral hearing to clarify these issues. No date has been set for this potential hearing.
Connection to the Royal Family
In a twist, Samantha had planned to ask Catherine, the Princess of Wales, for a witness statement before it was publicly revealed that Kate was battling cancer. Samantha stressed that Kate’s “cancer recovery is the priority” and stated that her attorney had made the request before anyone was aware of the princess’s health challenges.
Speaking on the topic, Samantha told former GB News host Dan Wootton, “I felt that Catherine might have some very important light to shed on what had occurred because obviously something is really, really wrong between these two.” Her lawyer, Peter Ticktin, echoed this sentiment during an episode of Wootton’s Outspoken online talk show, suggesting that Kate might have crucial insights into the tensions between Meghan and Samantha.
Meghan’s Recent Public Appearances
Samantha’s legal battle comes shortly after Meghan Markle’s recent appearance on CBS News Sunday Morning, where the Duchess of Sussex opened up about her mental health struggles. In the interview with Jane Pauley, Meghan revisited the suicidal thoughts she experienced during her time as a working royal, hoping that her openness would encourage others to seek help. Meghan first spoke publicly about these issues in her 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey, where she revealed the severe toll that online abuse had taken on her well-being.
As Meghan celebrated her 43rd birthday, Samantha’s lawyers filed the new appeal, signaling what could be the final chapter in this protracted legal saga. Meghan, who has not publicly responded to this latest development, continues to focus on her charitable endeavors and life in California with Prince Harry and their two children.
A High-Stakes Legal Battle
This renewed legal push marks a critical moment for Samantha Markle as she continues to pursue her defamation claims against her half-sister. While the court previously found her allegations lacking in substance, Samantha’s legal team remains determined to bring Meghan to trial, hoping to overturn Judge Honeywell’s decision. The outcome of this appeal could set a precedent for similar cases involving public figures and their family members.
In the meantime, Meghan remains shielded from the courtroom drama as she continues to navigate life post-royalty, a journey that has been anything but ordinary.
