Meghan Markle Wins Defamation Lawsuit Brought By Half-Sister

A movement to dismiss has been granted to Meghan Markle within the defamation lawsuit filed towards her by her half-sister, Samantha Markle.

Markle was sued for defamation by her half-sister following a 2021 CBS interview with Oprah Winfrey, during which she stated she was an solely baby and didn’t have a detailed relationship with Samantha, her half-sister from her father Thomas Markle’s first marriage. Samantha additionally alleged within the lawsuit that the couple’s 2022 Netflix documentary series Harry & Meghan contained 14 defamatory statements towards her.

In her criticism, Samantha argued that individuals round her “turned towards” her, viewing her as “an opportunist making an attempt to money in on her sister’s success and fame, regardless of having no relationship along with her.” Samantha sought $75,000 in damages, according to the complaint. 

The lawsuit was dismissed with prejudice, that means the identical declare can’t be filed once more, in an order issued March 12, with Choose Charlene Edwards Honeywell ruling that Samantha was unable to offer important proof to show defamation. 

Within the movement to dismiss, Choose Honeywell stated that the examples cited within the lawsuit are merely a matter of differing opinion. “Plaintiff alleges that the statements painted her as ‘a stranger, a liar,’ and ‘a misleading fame-seeking imposter with avaricious intentions,’” the movement to dismiss reads. “She goes on to argue that the statements ‘insinuated that [Plaintiff] has concocted a fictitious story to reap some inappropriate reward from [Defendant]’s fame.’ These… are quintessential examples of opinion that can not be verified and due to this fact can’t function the idea of a defamation motion.”

Samantha has tried twice earlier than to sue Meghan for defamation, in circumstances that have been thrown out in 2022 and 2023. “As an inexpensive listener would perceive it, defendant merely expresses an opinion about her childhood and her relationship along with her half-siblings,” Choose Honeywell wrote in 2023. “Thus, the court docket finds that defendant’s assertion shouldn’t be objectively verifiable or topic to empirical proof.” Samantha’s legal professionals informed Newsweek that they’re hoping to enchantment. Legal professionals for each Samantha and Meghan didn’t instantly return TIME’s request for remark.