Meghan Markle has succeeded in getting a libel lawsuit brought by her half-sister thrown out, a major boost for the duchess.
Samantha Markle filed the case over comments the duchess made to Oprah Winfrey and the content of the Sussexes' Netflix documentary series Harry & Meghan.
Had the case gone to trial, Meghan Markle would have been forced to release private documents and messages relevant to the case. Samantha Markle's lawyer told Newsweek they were planning to appeal.
Judge Charlene Honeywell threw out the case in an order dated March 12: "The Court grants the motion to dismiss, in full. [Samantha Markle's] claims will be dismissed with prejudice, as she has failed to identify any statements that could support a claim for defamation or defamation-by-implication by this point, her third try at amending her complaint, in either the book Finding Freedom, the Netflix series Harry & Meghan, or [Meghan Markle] and her husband's hour-long televised CBS Interview. As such, the Third Amended Complaint will be dismissed, with prejudice."
Meghan's lawyer, Michael J. Kump, of Kinsella Holley Iser Kump Steinsapir, said in a statement: "We are pleased with the Court's ruling dismissing the case."
Among Samantha Markle's accusations, she suggested Christopher Bouzy, founder of data firm Bot Sentinel, had defamed her by linking her to racist trolls.
Bouzy told Newsweek: "The court has rightly dismissed what was nothing more than a meritless lawsuit, recognizing it for the baseless claim it was.
"This decision not only vindicates Meghan but also serves as a stern rebuke to those who seek to manipulate the legal system for personal vendettas.
"It's a clear message that our courts are not stages for personal dramas to play out under the guise of legal grievances. I am beyond thrilled for Meghan and her family and wish them continued success in their endeavors."
The duchess told Oprah Winfrey that Samantha Markle "didn't know" her and added: "I grew up as an only child, which everyone who grew up around me knows, and I wished I had siblings."
She also suggested in the tell-all that it was "18, 19 years ago" that she last saw her half-sister "and before that, 10 years before that."
Samantha Markle's lawyers argued that the account was "disparaging, hurtful, and false" and suggested it painted her as "a stranger, a liar, and a ... deceptive fame-seeking imposter with avaricious intentions towards" Meghan Markle, according to the judge's order.
Meanwhile, the duchess' lawyers argued it was a mixture of opinion and truth, and Samantha Markle had no right to sue.
Peter Ticktin, attorney for Samantha Markle, told Newsweek in a statement: "Frankly, I am surprised at this outcome, as I thought that her Honor was understanding and accepting our position, especially when she inquired as to whether certain allegations were in the Complaint.
"Unfortunately, ultimately, our position was completely ignored. The more the statements were taken singularly, the more the meaning of them were lost. They had to be looked at collectively."
Samantha Markle's team had at one stage suggested a political motive on the part of Judge Honeywell, a Barack Obama nominee.
However, Ticktin said: "I believe that Judge Honeywell came to a decision which she felt was fair, and I do not believe politics had anything to do with her decision. I have respect for her, notwithstanding that I strongly disagree with her analysis and decision.
"Others may disagree, but I am calling it the way I see it. At the same time, even with a good, honest, and decent judge, one's leaning can affect the way that facts are perceived. I don't know if there was any leaning, but I do have good reason to hope that the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals will differ. We will be filing a Notice of Appeal."
When Samantha Markle first filed her case, she included claims related to Finding Freedom by Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand, though these were thrown out at an earlier stage.
Jack Royston is Newsweek's chief royal correspondent based in London. You can find him on X, formerly Twitter, at @jack_royston and read his stories on Newsweek's The Royals Facebook page.
Do you have a question about King Charles III, William and Kate, Meghan and Harry, or their family that you would like our experienced royal correspondents to answer? Email royals@newsweek.com. We'd love to hear from you.
Update 03/12/24, 12:29 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
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Jack Royston is Newsweek's Chief Royal Correspondent based in London, U.K. He reports on the British royal family—including King Charles ... Read more
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