Meghan Markle's Half-Sister Samantha Files Appeal After Florida Judge Dismisses $75k Defamation Case
Meghan Markle's half-sister filed an appeal after her libel case was dismissed in March.
April 9 2024, Published 3:45 p.m. ET
Meghan Markle's half-sister Samantha has filed an appeal after a judge dismissed her defamation lawsuit, RadarOnline.com has learned.
Last month, Florida Judge Charlene Edwards Honeywell dismissed the $75,000 lawsuit against Meghan on the grounds that Samantha had "failed to identify any statements that could support a claim for defamation."
Samantha claimed Meghan's statements brought her 'humiliation' and 'shame.'
Samantha filed the lawsuit over statements made in Meghan and Prince Harry's explosive 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey.
Samantha claimed that Meghan's comments implied that she grew up as an only child. Meghan also claimed that Samantha changed her surname back to Markle after her high-profile relationship with Prince Harry began. She was seeking $75,000 in damages over the remarks.
The shows are part of Archewell Production's Netflix deal.
While Judge Honeywell dismissed the lawsuit with prejudice, meaning it could not be refiled, Samantha's attorneys filed an appeal on her behalf last week.
"Notice is hereby given that the Plaintiff, Samantha M. Markle, by and through her undersigned counsel, appeals to the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit from the Order Granting Defendants, Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, Motion to Dismiss entered by the Honorable Charlene Edwards Honeywell on March 12, 2024," the appeal stated.
Meghan recently announced her new lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard.
Samantha further claimed that her half-sister made statements in a Netflix special that brought her "humiliation, shame and hatred on a worldwide scale."
Judge Honeywell disagreed, ruling the Duchess of Sussex's statement could not be considered defamatory because they're "substantially true based on judicially noticed evidence" and "not capable of being considered defamatory."
The brand has already faced criticism online for 'labels peeling off' her first batch of homemade strawberry jam.
The Florida judge further argued that Samantha failed to "plausibly allege that they are defamatory in the first place."
On statements Meghan made about her childhood, the judge said she was "merely opining" that she and Samantha were not close. Samantha and Meghan share the same father, Thomas Markle.
The judge also hit back at Samantha's claims that her famous half-sister "implied that [she] was a liar and a fame-seeker" as an "improper mischaracterization" of Meghan's statements.
Never Miss an
Daily updates from the heart of Hollywood, right to your inbox
By entering your email and clicking Sign Up, you’re agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Judge Honeywell seemingly supported Meghan's claims that Samantha changed her last name from Rasmussen, her married name, back to Markle after she started dating Harry, noting "the gist was true."
"That Plaintiff used one last name and then the name Markle soon after reports of Defendant's relationship with Prince Harry were published is substantially true, based on the exhibits in the record, of which the Court has taken judicial notice," Honeywell wrote.
Powered by RedCircle
