Since Meghan Markle and Prince Harry moved to the United States back in 2020, the couple has had a rocky relationship with both sides of the family. Meghan Markle's sister, Samantha, felt personally targeted by a statement made by Meghan Markle on her Netflix series.
Discover our latest podcast
After filing a lawsuit for defamation back in 2022, which she lost, Samantha Markle is now appealing the judge's ruling at the Court of Appeals. Newsweek recently published the most recent court filing. Here is what you should know.
Meghan Markle's sister has had to move homes
For the past four years, Meghan Markle has had to face a number of legal challenges. While it all started with their Oprah interview, where in Markle denied having siblings, what reignited the legal controversy was the couple's Netflix hit-series, Harry & Meghan. In it, the Duchess had a conversation that has reportedly enraged her sister.
Indeed, while talking with influencer Christopher Bouzy, who claimed Samantha Markle was 'part of the group that was putting out disinformation', Meghan Markle responded with a controversial statement:
You are making people want to kill me.
While the use of the pronoun 'you' was apparently meant as a general statement towards the group in question, the Duchess' sister took it for herself. Samantha Markle, the Duchess' half-sister on her father's side, responded through her lawyer, Peter Ticktin, saying:
There can be no doubt that Meghan Markle attacked her sister Samantha Markle verbally in her documentary.
This attack reportedly forced Samantha Markle to move homes, according to the court filing published by Newsweek. The document reads:
Meghan now downplays the effect that her own words and the words of Christopher Bouzy and what the publication have had on Samantha, who has been forced to move residences, retract from public outings [...], and faced realistic death threats from individuals who have 'sworn' allegiance to Meghan in this 'fight' between the two sisters.
However, Samantha's accusations, and the aftermath of the Netflix show had on her life, is not the only reason why her appeal is gaining traction.
Samantha Markle's team made crucial mistake in official documents
While filing her appeal, Samantha Markle's legal team made an embarrassing mistake. Indeed, they referred to Prince Harry as the Prince of Wales—a title which actually belongs to his brother, Prince William. While he was born as Prince Henry of Wales, the actual title traditionally applies to the heir of the throne. The error appeared nine times throughout the whole document, which reads as follows:
The 6-part Series delved into the inner lives of Meghan and her husband, Harry, Prince of Wales, discussing everything from their early lives to their wedding and eventual fallout with the Royal Family.
These mistakes are in stark contrast to Meghan Markle's own legal documents, which always refer to her husband as 'Prince Henry of Wales'.
In the official documents, Samantha Markle also makes a point of referring to her sister as Meghan Markle, using her maiden name. Meghan Markle's legal team always refers to her as the Duchess of Sussex. The judge in charge of the case settled the matter of names by using both forms:
Samantha M. Markle is a citizen of Florida and half-sister to Meghan Markle, also known as Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex.
Read more:
Prince Harry reveals children Archie and Lilibet have been 'blessed' with Meghan Markle's long hair
Meghan Markle's half-sister Samantha Markle attempting to take the Duchess to court again
Sources used:
Newsweek: Meghan Markle Sister Denies Making Trolls 'Want to Kill Meghan'
GB News: Samantha Markle's lawyers make embarrassing Prince Harry error nine times on legal documents
