Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, is once again at the center of a family feud, as her half-sister, Samantha Markle, has filed an appeal in a defamation lawsuit that was previously dismissed. The lawsuit, which has reignited the years-long legal battle between the sisters, stems from comments Meghan made during her 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey and in the 2022 Netflix series “Harry & Meghan.”
In the appeal, which was filed with the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, Samantha Markle claims that Meghan knowingly made false statements that have caused significant harm to her reputation. According to court documents obtained by The Sun, the appeal argues that “Meghan knew what she was doing, and how to do it. She destroyed Samantha publicly and on a global scale.”
One of the key comments highlighted in the lawsuit is Meghan’s statement to Oprah, “I grew up as an only child, which everyone who grew up around me knows, and I wished I had siblings.” Samantha claims this statement was a deliberate lie intended to undermine her credibility and harm her ability to sell her memoir.
Another statement at the center of the lawsuit comes from the Netflix series, where Meghan said, “I don’t remember seeing her [Samantha] when I was a kid at my dad’s house.” The appeal argues that this comment was made to discredit Samantha’s assertions that she was a significant part of Meghan’s childhood.
The appeal further states, “Meghan is responsible for the statements. Meghan either said the defamatory statements, or she published the statements said by others. Meghan intentionally chose the order and structure of the statements, as well as the orator of the statements.” Samantha’s legal team asserts that Meghan’s actions were deliberate and intended to cause harm.
Samantha’s attorney, Jamie Alan Sasson, emphasized the impact of these statements, saying, “Meghan made these false claims, which are now believed to be true by the public, making it appear that Samantha is a fame-seeking stranger to Meghan.”
Court documents also detail the consequences Samantha has faced due to the alleged defamation, including daily harassment and threats, both online and in her personal life. The appeal notes that Samantha, who was once respected in her Florida community, now fears for her safety and has been forced to move multiple times due to threats of violence.
The appeal concludes by stating that Meghan’s actions have severely impacted Samantha’s life, making it difficult for her to work or even perform everyday tasks without facing constant harassment. The case continues to unfold as the court considers the appeal.
