Meghan Markle’s estranged half-sister, Samantha Markle, is suing her for defamation, and asking for restitution in excess of $75,000.
Samantha Markle, 58, is the daughter of Meghan Markle’s father, Thomas Markle Jr. Meghan has two half-siblings by Thomas, Samantha and Thomas Jr. Samantha lives in Florida and suffers from multiple sclerosis.
Samantha’s claim comes from a statement Meghan made in her Netflix interview with Oprah, and her husband Prince Harry. In an episode, Meghan claims she was raised as “an only child”, despite having two half-siblings. Her half-brother, Thomas Markle Jr., is not part of the filing, and told People he wishes Samantha would, “leave Meghan alone, already.”
Samantha made headlines after Meghan and Prince Harry became an item, stating that Meghan is a “social climber” and giving her the moniker, “Princess Pushy”. She is now attesting that Meghan Markle created “a premeditated campaign” to “defame and destroy her sister’s and her father’s reputation and credibility in order to preserve and promote the false ‘rags-to-royalty’ narrative,” as stated in the filing.
Meghan claims that she and Samantha never had a relationship, with her lawyers calling Samantha’s case, ‘irrelevant, vague, and speculative.’
“My half-sister, who I hadn’t seen for over a decade—and that was only for a day and a half—suddenly, it felt like she was everywhere,” Meghan said. “I don’t know your middle name. I don’t know your birthday. You’re telling these people that you raised me, and you’ve coined me ‘Princess Pushy.’”
In the same episode of the documentary where Meghan gave that quote, a statement was shown with Samantha’s take on the issue, reading, “Samantha Markle maintains that she and Meghan had a close relationship until 2018 and that the media fabricated quotes that have been attributed to her.”
Meghan Markle’s lawyers attempted to have Samantha’s case dismissed during discovery, but did not succeed, with the presiding judge stating, “Defendant Markle does not satisfy the high standard required to stay discovery pending the resolution of a dispositive motion.”
Following, Harry and Meghan will be deposed in this case.
Sources:
Meghan Markle, Prince Harry to appear in court for Samantha Markle defamation case (thenews.com.pk)
Meghan and Harry will be deposed in Samantha Markle’s defamation lawsuit, judge rules (msn.com)
Who is Samantha Markle and why is she suing Meghan? (yahoo.com)
Meghan and Harry Face Grilling by Samantha Markle’s Lawyers (yahoo.com)
