The ongoing family drama between Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, and her half-sister Samantha Markle has escalated as Samantha filed an appeal in a defamation lawsuit that was previously dismissed. The lawsuit, which centers around statements Meghan made in a 2021 Oprah Winfrey interview and the 2022 Netflix series “Harry & Meghan,” has brought the sisters’ feud back into the spotlight.
Samantha’s appeal, filed with the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, alleges that Meghan made knowingly false statements that have severely damaged Samantha’s reputation. According to court papers referenced by The Sun, the appeal claims that “Meghan knew what she was doing, and how to do it. She destroyed Samantha publicly and on a global scale.”
The appeal focuses on Meghan’s statement during the Oprah interview where she claimed, “I grew up as an only child, which everyone who grew up around me knows, and I wished I had siblings.” Samantha argues that this statement was a deliberate falsehood intended to damage her credibility and her ability to market her memoir.
Another statement under scrutiny is from the Netflix series, where Meghan said, “I don’t remember seeing her [Samantha] when I was a kid at my dad’s house.” Samantha’s legal team contends that this comment was made to discredit her involvement in Meghan’s life.
The appeal further argues that Meghan is responsible for the defamatory statements, whether she directly made them or published them through others. Samantha’s legal team asserts that Meghan’s actions were intentional and meant to inflict harm.
Samantha’s attorney, Jamie Alan Sasson, stated that the public has come to believe Meghan’s false claims, leading to widespread damage to Samantha’s reputation. “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,” Sasson said.
The court papers also describe the ongoing impact these statements have had on Samantha’s life, including harassment and threats both online and in person. The appeal notes that Samantha, once respected in her Florida community, now fears for her safety and has had to move multiple times due to threats of violence.
The appeal concludes by highlighting how Meghan’s actions have severely disrupted Samantha’s life, making it difficult for her to work or even engage in everyday activities without facing harassment. The legal battle continues as the court reviews the appeal.
