 "Meghan Markle wins defamation lawsuit brought by half-sister Samantha; decoding the case")
Markle’s half-sister Samantha, with whom she shares a father, had alleged that Markle’s statements in a Netflix documentary series and a 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey had implied Samantha was a ‘deceptive fame-seeking imposter with avaricious intentions.’
About the Defamation Law suit
According to Time magazine report, in her complaint, Samantha argued that people around her “turned against” her, viewing her as “an opportunist trying to cash in on her sister’s success and fame, despite having no relationship with her.” Samantha sought $75,000 in damages, according to the complaint.
The report further added that the lawsuit was dismissed with prejudice, meaning the same claim cannot be filed again, in an order issued March 12, with Judge Charlene Edwards Honeywell ruling that Samantha was unable to provide significant evidence to prove defamation. In the motion to dismiss, Judge Honeywell said that the examples cited in the lawsuit are simply a matter of differing opinion**.**
Meghan Vs Samantha and the extent of toxicity in the relationship
Samantha , who has accused Meghan of having ’narcissistic personality disorder.’ Samantha, Meghan’s half-sister has also claimed that she ‘did a lot of damage’ to their father Thomas Markle and called on her half-sister to make a public apology to him.
Speaking to TMZ about Meghan and Harry’s marriage last year, she said: ‘I see it ending in divorce unless they get extensive counselling and can agree to work on being honest, to work on apologies to everyone that they’ve damaged in the course of this bull in a china shop two-year spiel. ‘I mean, nothing about any of this has been honest, and the damage to the Royals has been massive - especially now.’
Going back, Samantha tried twice before to sue Meghan in defamation cases. so, the report says, “As a reasonable listener would understand it, defendant merely expresses an opinion about her childhood and her relationship with her half-siblings,” Judge Honeywell wrote in 2023. “Thus, the court finds that defendant’s statement is not objectively verifiable or subject to empirical proof.”
(With added inputs from agencies)
Lachmi Deb Roy is the entertainment editor of Firtspost, Network18. She reviews films and series with a gender lens. Her interviews are called 'Not Just Bollywood' because she takes huge interest in world cinema. OTT over theatrical releases is her preference unless and until its a King Khan film. She takes interest in fashion, food and art reviews too.