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Prince Harry may still be feuding with his family and the British courts, but Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, has put a dispute with one of her relatives behind her.
After nearly two years of litigation and several amended complaints, a federal judge today dismissed the former Suits the star’s half-sister. In fact, it’s no exaggeration to say that Judge Charlene Edwards Honeywell harshly dismissed Samantha Markle’s efforts.
“The Court grants the motion for complete dismissal,” the Florida-based judge wrote in her 58-page order on Tuesday. (Read the ruling here).
“Plaintiff’s claims will be dismissed with prejudice as she has not identified any statements that could support a claim for defamation or defamation by implication at this point, her third attempt to amend her complaint, whether in the book Finding Freedom, the Netflix series Harry & Meghan, or the hour-long CBS televised interview between the defendant and her husband,” Judge Honeywell added.
Claiming that the Duchess of Sussex made “false and malicious comments” about her, Thomas Markle Sr.’s eldest offspring were also offended that the estranged royal claimed to be an “only child” in several interviews. Also objecting to the way Meghan Markle characterized the interactions between her and her younger half-sister, Samantha Markle wanted at least $75,000, as well as various fees from her half-brother.
Judge Honeywell, appointed by Barack Obama, disagreed.
“The defendant’s response, in context, is clearly his opinion of his own childhood and his relationship with the plaintiff,” he said in today’s order granting the Duchess of Sussex’s motion to dismiss. “It is neither objectively verifiable nor subject to empirical testing. Therefore, it cannot sustain a claim for defamation and must be dismissed.”
“The Court has taken note of the fact that Plaintiff used the surname Rasmussen in September 2016 and Markle two months later, shortly after Defendant’s actual relationship was first reported,” the order states. “Therefore, the substance of the statement (that the plaintiff changed her last name shortly after it was reported that the defendant was involved with Prince Harry) is true. Furthermore, the precise reasons for his change were neither specified nor suggested by the defendant (who simply said “I think that says enough”), an amorphous statement that cannot be objectively verified.”
“We are pleased with the Court’s ruling dismissing the case,” Markle’s attorney, Michael J. Kump, of the Santa Monica firm Kinsella Holley Iser Kump Steinsapir LLP, told Deadline today.
Never far from the spotlight, despite her and Prince Harry’s objection to the media glare, Meghan Markle was at the opening day of SXSW 2024. On a panel with Brooke Shields, sociologist Nancy Wang Yuen and Katie Couric, the duchess lamented the “toxicity.” ”of social networks in the modern world.
Both Sussexes were watched by almost 18 million viewers in the US and UK on CBS and ITV alone in the 2021 special. Oprah with Meghan and Harry. In the much-repeated broadcast, the couple described why they left Britain and their mental health issues. Harry and Meghan also made accusations of racism against unnamed members of the Royal Family in relation to their son Archie. These issues, along with references to “unwanted opportunist” Samantha Markle, were also discussed on the couple’s six-part Netflix show. Harry and Meghan docuseries and various publications and podcasts.
Last month, Prince Harry received a “substantial” additional compensation for his long-running legal battle with the Daily Mirror over phone hacking activities. So far in the multi-plaintiff action, the Invictus Games founder has seen the Mirror Newspaper Group forced to pay him around £540,000 (a little over $600,000 depending on fickle currency exchange rates). Harry, along with a group including Elton John, is heading to trial in a lawsuit against the publisher of the Mail on Sunday over allegations of illegal information gathering.
As his father, King Charles III, battles cancer and Donald Trump threatens retaliation for alleged slights by Harry and Meghan against the now-deceased Queen Elizabeth II, the prodigal prince has not been as successful in his legal attempts to force the government of the United Kingdom to reconsider its downgrading of its security status. Although fifth in line to the throne, Harry is still entitled to some security when in Britain, but the youngest son of Charles and the late Diana, Princess of Wales, has fought to retain “full protection” for himself and his family. Late last month, the High Court denied his moves to overturn the Home Office’s decision.
Maybe Harry should hire Michael J Kump.