Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, is imploring a judge to dismiss the renewed legal battle instigated by her half-sister Samantha Markle, stating her relative's grudge against her is driving the ongoing lawsuit, as per reports obtained by RadarOnline.com.
Documents reveal that Meghan has asked for the dismissal of Samantha's revised defamation lawsuit. This comes mere weeks after Samantha's original complaint was dismissed by a federal court judge.
In her lawsuit, Samantha claimed that Meghan fabricated aspects of her upbringing to promote her transformation from 'commoner to royalty,' while in fact, she had attended prestigious private schools. Samantha also refuted Meghan's claim of being an 'only child,' a statement made during the Duchess's widely-viewed interview with Oprah Winfrey. The half-sisters share a father, Thomas Markle.
According to Samantha, Meghan lied about the infrequency of their meetings, and defamed her by asserting Samantha changed her surname to Markle only after Meghan's engagement to Prince Harry.
The Duchess has categorically denied any wrongdoing, insisting that the lawsuit be dismissed. "This baseless and absurd lawsuit is just a continuation of a pattern of disturbing behavior," said Meghan's attorney, adding they will only offer the case minimal attention, deeming that all it merits.
A judge originally sided with Meghan, stating that Samantha had not sufficiently alleged that Meghan had made a "substantially and materially false" statement, a requirement to substantiate a defamation claim. The judge emphasized that Meghan never insinuated her sister changed her name for financial gain.
Samantha promptly countered by filing an amended lawsuit introducing fresh allegations, accusing Meghan of attempting to "demonize" her and paint her as a "liar and fame seeker."
In the lawsuit, Samantha claims Meghan's remarks led to her suffering damage in the form of occupation harm, emotional distress, and damage to her reputation and credibility. Samantha alleges that Meghan's comments led to a surge of threatening and violent messages, leading to significant anxiety and fear. Samantha seeks damages for lost income from her autobiography's sales, emotional distress, and fear due to the threatening messages she's been receiving.
Meghan has now responded to these new claims by once again requesting the case's dismissal, dismissing the amended lawsuit as a mere continuation of the previous accusations.
"Three times [Samantha] has tried—and failed—to turn a personal grudge into a federal case for reasons unbeknownst to Meghan," said Meghan's lawyer, pushing for the case's definitive dismissal. The judge has yet to deliver a ruling.