Meghan Markle is now facing trial after her older half-sister, Samantha, claimed she was defamed in the duchess' explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey. A date has been set for the sister showdown, with Samantha demanding $75,000 (£61,200) in damages.
Explosive Interview Fallout
Samantha Markle, Meghan's sister, revealed in 2021 that she was suing her sibling for "defamation and injurious falsehoods." This includes Meghan claiming she grew up as an only child, despite Samantha's presence in her life.
Setting a Trial Date
The case had initially been thrown out in March, but an amended complaint was filed a month later. Last week, a judge set a trial date for November 2024, with "in-person" meetings scheduled beforehand. However, as it is a civil case, Meghan does not have to appear if it goes to trial.
Allegations Made by Samantha
Samantha alleges that Meghan made "demonstrably false and malicious statements" about her during the Oprah interview, which was watched by millions worldwide. She claims that Meghan orchestrated a campaign to defame and destroy her sister's and her father's reputation, subjecting Samantha to "humiliation, shame, and hatred on a worldwide scale."
Strained Relationship
The lawsuit sheds light on the strained relationship between Meghan and Samantha, stating that Meghan became hostile towards Samantha, her half-brother, and her father after meeting and dating Prince Harry. Samantha insists that there were no bad feelings between them until Meghan's relationship with Harry began.
Photographic Evidence
Samantha refutes Meghan's claims of not knowing her, pointing to photographs that show their relationship over the years. Samantha questions how Meghan could deny knowing her when there is evidence to the contrary.
Name Change Controversy
Meghan also suggested that Samantha changed her surname back to Markle after Meghan started dating Harry, implying that Samantha wanted to capitalize on the family's fame. However, Samantha provides evidence to refute this claim, showing her college diploma that bears the name "Samantha M. Markle" from 1997.
It remains to be seen how the trial will unfold and what impact it will have on the already strained relationship between Meghan and Samantha.
