Meghan Markle's Victory in Defamation Lawsuit Filed by Half-Sister Samantha Markle

Meghan Markle Wins Defamation Suit Brought Against Her By Half Sister Samantha Markle

Meghan Markle, Samantha Markle Gary Miller/Getty Images;Kevin Manning/MEGA

Meghan Markle has won a legal battle against her half-sister, Samantha Markle.

A judge on Tuesday, March 12, dismissed Samantha's defamation lawsuit against Meghan. This means that Samantha cannot bring her claim again in the future.

In court documents obtained by We, Florida District Court Judge Charlene Edwards Honeywell found that Samantha failed to provide any evidence to support her claim of defamation or defamation-by-implication in her third attempt to amend her complaint.

The judge specifically mentioned that there were no instances of defamation in Meghan and Prince Harry’s CBS interview in March 2021 or their docuseries Harry & Meghan in 2022. The ruling stated that the statements made by the couple about Samantha and Meghan’s father, Thomas Markle, were considered as opinions rather than defamation.

Meghan’s lawyer, Michael J. Kump, shared with Us that they are happy with the Court’s decision to dismiss the case.

Samantha filed a lawsuit against Meghan in March 2022. She alleged that Meghan had been untruthful about her childhood upbringing, claiming she did not grow up in “virtual poverty” as stated. Samantha also disputed Meghan's portrayal of their relationship, asserting that Meghan falsely claimed they grew up as siblings. Meghan has a half-brother named Thomas Markle Jr.

Samantha asked for more than $75,000 in damages for various reasons such as lost employment, income from her autobiography, emotional distress from threatening messages, and damage to her reputation, according to court documents.

Meghan responded by filing a motion to dismiss the lawsuit, stating that her half-sister's claims were without merit in court documents.

The June 2022 filing stated that courts do not determine if two people are 'close' or if one truly feels like they 'grew up as an only child.' Courts are not meant to decide on the legitimacy of someone's emotions about their childhood and relationships. This type of dispute does not belong in court.

In her March 2021 CBS interview with Harry, Meghan mentioned that she had not seen Samantha in almost 20 years.

In her early 50s, she decided to change her last name back to Markle. She mentioned, "I only did it when I started dating Harry. So, I think that says enough."

Meghan and Harry, who got married in 2018, moved to the United States in 2020 after stepping down from their senior royal roles. They have a son named Archie, who is 4 years old, and a daughter named Lilibet, who is 2 years old.

Editor's P/S:

The legal battle between Meghan Markle and her half-sister, Samantha Markle, has come to a close with a significant victory for Meghan. The court's dismissal of Samantha's defamation lawsuit sends a strong message that baseless claims will not be tolerated in the legal system. It also highlights the importance of protecting freedom of expression, especially in the context of family relationships.

While the details of the case are complex, it is clear that Samantha's allegations lacked any substantial evidence. The court's decision to dismiss her claim on the grounds of failure to provide evidence sets a precedent that defamation lawsuits must be supported by credible facts. This is a crucial safeguard against frivolous lawsuits that can damage reputations and stifle legitimate discourse. The outcome of this case serves as a reminder that legal battles should be based on substance, not on unsubstantiated claims.