Meghan Markle is facing another legal battle with her estranged half-sister, Samantha Markle. Samantha sued Meghan in 2022 for allegedly defaming her in various interviews, including one with Oprah Winfrey in 2021. The case was dismissed with prejudice in 2024, meaning Samantha cannot refile the claims. However, Samantha has appealed the dismissal, and an oral argument is scheduled for September 9 in Jacksonville, Florida.
Royal expert Ian Pelham Turner believes this ongoing family feud is casting a shadow over the Sussexes, particularly Harry, who is reportedly trying to mend fences with his family. Turner warns that further legal disputes between Meghan and Samantha could damage the fragile connections Harry and Meghan are trying to rebuild with the royal family.
Another expert, Hilary Fordwich, stated that high-profile disputes involving Meghan could raise concerns among senior royals. The royal family typically follows the late queen’s mantra of “never complain, never explain.” Fordwich added that such allegations, true or not, can harm Meghan’s reputation.
Meghan’s lawyer declined to comment on the matter. Meanwhile, Samantha’s lawyer, Peter Ticktin, is appealing the court’s decision, hoping to prove the strength of their case to the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals.
Despite Meghan’s efforts to enhance her reputation through entrepreneurship and media projects like her Netflix series, the ongoing family disputes are overshadowing her endeavors. Branding expert Doug Eldridge believes that public disputes with family members can negatively impact Meghan’s brand and reputation.
Since stepping back from royal duties in 2020, Harry and Meghan have been open about their struggles with royal life. Harry’s memoir, “Spare,” which revealed private details about the royal family, further strained his relationship with them. Experts have suggested that Harry and his brother, Prince William, are not on speaking terms.
In a recent interview, Harry expressed his desire to reconcile with his family, including his father, King Charles III, who was diagnosed with cancer in 2024. Despite these challenges, Harry remains hopeful for reconciliation with his family.
“I am unsure how much longer my father has.”
Rumors of a potential reconciliation between Prince Harry and his family surfaced following reports of a “peace summit.” (Chris Jackson/Getty Images for the Invictus Games Foundation)
A private meeting took place in London on July 9 between Harry’s aides and the king’s communications secretary, as reported by the Mail on Sunday. Representatives for Buckingham Palace and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex did not respond to requests for comment from Fox News Digital.
King Charles III of Britain smiles during a reception at Scrabster Harbour in Thurso, northern Scotland on July 28, 2025. The monarch was diagnosed with cancer in 2024. (Aaron Chown/Pool/AFP via Getty Images)
However, Meghan’s ongoing dispute with her estranged sister may complicate any potential peace talks with the royal family.
“Samantha was allowed to make changes to her complaint against her half-sister after it was challenged twice,” explained Jonna Spilbor, a legal expert. “Although the lawsuit was ultimately dismissed, Samantha’s legal team has appealed the decision, leading to a scheduled hearing to potentially revive the case.”
An individual in Edinburgh watches an interview of the Duke of Sussex by ITV’s Tom Bradby before the release of his autobiography “Spare” in 2023. (Jane Barlow/PA Images via Getty Images)
Despite Meghan not expected to attend the hearing, the legal battle continues.
Samantha, 60, alleged in her initial filing that Meghan defamed her during an interview with Winfrey by claiming to have “grown up as an only child.” Samantha argued that they were close during childhood but drifted apart as Meghan started dating Prince Harry.
Meghan Markle, an American actress, became the Duchess of Sussex upon marrying Prince Harry of Britain in 2018. (Jonathan Brady – WPA Pool/Getty Images)
In a previous ruling, it was determined that Meghan’s statement about Samantha changing her last name back to Markle after dating Harry was protected as an opinion.
Duchess of Sussex Meghan being interviewed by Oprah Winfrey in 2021. (Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
Recent reports suggest that Prince Harry offered to share his official schedule of engagements with the royals as a peace gesture, aiming to alleviate tensions with his father, according to the U.K.’s Daily Mail.
Prince Harry reportedly extended an olive branch to the royals by sharing his official schedule of engagements. (Karwai Tang/WireImage/Getty Images)
Fox News Digital reached out to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex for comment, but their office declined to respond.
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Prince Harry expressed his readiness to reconcile with the royal family during an interview with the BBC in May. (Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)
While the possibility of a reconciliation between Harry and the royal family remains uncertain, Meghan’s relationship with her own family appears strained.
Meghan has accused her sister Samantha and father Thomas Markle of selling stories to the British tabloids. The Duke and Duchess cited media intrusion and lack of support from the palace as reasons for stepping back from their royal duties.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped back as senior royals in 2020 and relocated to California. (Chris Jackson – Pool/Getty Images)
Meghan shared her struggles with her father during an interview with Winfrey, expressing her difficulty in reconciling his actions with her role as a mother.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex discussed their challenges with royal life a year after stepping back. (Harpo Productions/Joe Pugliese via Getty Images)
At the time of the interview, viewed by millions globally, Meghan was pregnant with her second child.
“As a mother, I cannot fathom intentionally causing pain to my child. It’s a difficult reality to reconcile,” Meghan reflected.
Fox News Digital’s Lauryn Overhultz contributed to this report.
A new study has found that regular consumption of green tea may have a positive impact on brain health. The study, published in the journal Psychopharmacology, suggests that the polyphenols found in green tea can help protect the brain against cognitive decline.
Researchers at the University of Basel in Switzerland conducted the study on a group of healthy male volunteers. The participants were given a drink containing green tea extract before undergoing a series of memory tests. The results showed that those who consumed the green tea extract performed better on the tests compared to those who did not.
The researchers believe that the polyphenols in green tea have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that can help protect the brain from age-related decline. These findings are particularly promising for older adults, as cognitive decline is a common issue as we age.
While more research is needed to fully understand the effects of green tea on brain health, this study provides further evidence of the potential benefits of this popular beverage. So, next time you reach for a drink, consider opting for a cup of green tea to give your brain a boost. A recent study has found that spending time in nature can have numerous health benefits, including reducing stress levels and improving overall well-being. The study, conducted by a team of researchers from various universities, looked at the effects of spending just 20 minutes in a natural setting, such as a park or forest.
The researchers found that participants who spent time in nature had lower levels of cortisol, a hormone that is often used as a marker for stress. In addition, the participants reported feeling more relaxed and at ease after their time outdoors.
These findings highlight the importance of incorporating nature into our daily lives, even if it’s just for a short amount of time. Whether it’s taking a walk in the park during lunch or spending a weekend hiking in the mountains, spending time in nature can have a significant impact on our mental and physical well-being.
So next time you’re feeling stressed or overwhelmed, consider taking a break and immersing yourself in the beauty of the great outdoors. Your mind and body will thank you for it.
