Meghan Markle is being sued by her half-sister, Samantha Markle for defamation for £60,000. This case stems from Prince Harry and Meghan’s interview with Oprah Winfrey back in 2021. Samantha Markle filed the lawsuit on Friday, Feb 3, 2023.
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Meghan Markle being sued for defamation
Everyone remembers the bombshell interview the Duke and Duchess of Sussex had with Oprah Winfrey on March 7, 2021. During the interview, Meghan claimed she grew up an ‘only child’ and wished she ‘had siblings.’
Samantha is suing based on Meghan’s claims in the interview, explaining that she has since suffered from ‘humiliation, shame and hatred on a worldwide scale’ due to Meghan’s ‘false and malicious lies’ as reported by the BBC.
Samantha claims that her half-sister lied about her upbringing to promote a ‘rags to royalty narrative.’Fox News reports:
Defendant was not forced at the age of 13 to work in low-paying jobs to make ends meet; Defendant attended elite and expensive private schools and dance and acting classes in Los Angeles paid for by her Father
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Harry and Meghan to Be Questioned in Samantha Markle Defamation Case
— ARISE NEWS (@ARISEtv) February 8, 2023
Samantha Markle is suing Meghan for "defamation and injurious falsehoods" following the royal couple's interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2021. https://t.co/zKvEp2NAfspic.twitter.com/Aau0GfRg6B
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Prince Harry and Meghan to give separate depositions
Both Prince Harry and Meghan have been called to give depositions in the defamation case. According to the Independent, Prince Harry has been called to give a video deposition under oath later this month.
It was reported that Meghan Markle made a motion to dismiss the depositions as she claimed the jury was being asked to determine what a ‘close’ relationship is. However, her motion was dismissed on Tuesday, Feb 7.
Samantha Markle requested that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex give separate depositions. She has also called Thomas Markle, their father, and former royal aide Jason Knauf to give deposition statements.
If the case is taken to court, it could take place in Tampa Florida in January 2024.
Sources used:
Independent: ‘Prince Harry called to give evidence against Meghan in defamation case’
BBC: ‘Harry and Meghan to be questioned in Samantha Markle defamation case’
Fox News: ‘Meghan Markle's half-sister wants Prince Harry to testify in defamation lawsuit over Oprah Winfrey tell-all’
The Times: ‘Harry and Meghan can’t halt Samantha Markle’s deposition’
