Meghan Markle is preparing for a court hearing with her half-sister, Samantha Markle, set for September 9, 2025.
The legal dispute stems from comments made during the Sussexes’ interview with Oprah Winfrey and their Netflix documentary. Samantha initially sued Meghan but lost the case in March 2024.
Originally, a judge at the 11th Circuit Court of Appeal in Atlanta, Georgia, had scheduled the case for the week starting August 11.
However, a recent court filing shows the oral argument will now take place on Tuesday, September 9, at 9am local time in Jacksonville, Florida.
Samantha Markle set for new legal battle against Meghan Markle in libel case
|TLC / GETTY
Samantha, 60, is Meghan’s half-sister on her father’s side and has been outspoken about the Duchess in the past.
She filed her libel lawsuit against Meghan in late 2022, two years after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped back from royal duties.
At the time, one of Meghan’s lawyers dismissed the claim, saying they would "give it [the case] the minimum attention necessary, which is all it deserves."
Following the release of the couple’s Netflix docuseries, Harry & Meghan, Samantha’s legal team argued that comments made by Meghan and an interviewee in the show, when combined, amounted to a campaign unfairly targeting Samantha.
Samantha Markle lives in the US and takes care of her father Thomas Markle | GB NEWS
In the 2021 Oprah interview, Meghan said she "grew up as only child" and wished she had siblings to grow up with, referencing that Samantha and Tom Markle Jr had already moved out of their father Thomas Markle Sr’s home.
Samantha’s lawyers claimed the documentary led viewers to believe she played a role in orchestrating a hate campaign against Meghan — a portrayal they say is unfair.
However, Meghan never mentioned Samantha by name when discussing hate messages.
The segment in question focused on trolling from multiple accounts.
Harry and Meghan were interviewed by Oprah Winfrey in 2021 | HARPO PRODUCTIONS
LATEST ROYAL NEWS:
Samantha Markle and Meghan Markle pictured at the former's graduation
|X / SAMANTHA MARKLE
In a past filing, Meghan’s legal team stated: "An implicit or express statement that [Samantha] belongs to a hate group spreading disinformation about Meghan is an opinion protected by the First Amendment."
The legal battle marks another chapter in the ongoing strained relationship between the two half-sisters.
Observers will be watching closely to see how the court rules on the appeal.
Meanwhile, both Meghan and Samantha continue to make headlines for their public disputes.