The family drama surrounding Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, has resurfaced as her half-sister, Samantha Markle, has filed an appeal in a defamation lawsuit that was previously dismissed. The lawsuit, which has been ongoing for years, centers on comments Meghan made during her 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey and in the 2022 Netflix series “Harry & Meghan.”
Samantha Markle’s appeal, filed with the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, alleges that Meghan intentionally made false statements that have damaged Samantha’s reputation on a global scale. According to court documents cited by The Sun, the appeal argues that Meghan’s actions were deliberate and aimed at publicly discrediting her half-sister.
One of the primary statements under scrutiny is Meghan’s claim in the Oprah interview that she “grew up as an only child” and wished she had siblings. Samantha argues that this statement was a calculated lie intended to harm her credibility and her ability to sell her memoir.
The lawsuit also challenges a comment made by Meghan in the Netflix series, where she stated, “I don’t remember seeing her [Samantha] when I was a kid at my dad’s house.” The appeal contends that this remark was designed to discredit Samantha’s narrative that she was an active part of Meghan’s childhood.
The appeal further asserts that Meghan is fully responsible for the statements made, either by directly saying them or by publishing them through others. Samantha’s legal team claims that Meghan’s actions were intentional and meant to inflict harm.
In a statement to Fox News, Samantha’s attorney, Jamie Alan Sasson, said, “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 papers detail the significant impact these statements have had on Samantha’s life, including daily harassment and threats. The appeal notes that Samantha, who was once a respected member of her Florida community, now lives in fear for her safety and has been forced to relocate multiple times due to threats of violence.
The appeal concludes by arguing that Meghan’s actions have severely disrupted Samantha’s life, making it nearly impossible for her to work or engage in everyday activities without facing constant harassment. The legal battle continues as the court considers the appeal.
