Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, is embroiled in yet another scandal as her half-sister, Samantha Markle, claims that she has tampered with evidence in their ongoing defamation lawsuit.

Samantha Markle filed a lawsuit against Meghan Markle in March 2022, alleging that the Duchess made false and malicious statements about her during a CBS interview with Oprah Winfrey in March 2021.

During the interview, Meghan Markle stated that she grew up as an only child and had minimal knowledge of Samantha Markle, who is 17 years older than her.

Samantha Markle, who suffers from multiple sclerosis and relies on a wheelchair, argues that these statements have damaged her reputation and caused her to lose income as an author.

Initially, a federal judge in Florida dismissed the lawsuit in March 2023, ruling that Meghan Markle’s statements were merely opinions and could not be proven false.

However, Samantha Markle appealed the decision and filed a third amended complaint in October 2023, introducing new allegations that Meghan Markle had tampered with evidence and violated a court order to preserve her electronic devices.

Samantha Markle’s lawyer, Peter Tickton, claims to have obtained a confession from Meghan Markle’s estranged father, Thomas Markle.

According to Tickton, Thomas Markle revealed that the Duchess had asked him to delete certain text messages and emails that could be relevant to the case.

Thomas Markle, who has had no contact with his daughter since her wedding to Prince Harry in 2018, expressed regret for complying with her request and expressed his desire to support his other daughter, Samantha Markle, in her legal battle.

On the other hand, Meghan Markle’s lawyer, Michael Kump, vehemently denies the allegations, calling Samantha Markle’s case baseless and driven by jealousy and resentment.

Kump asserts that Meghan Markle has fully complied with all court orders and denies any involvement in tampering with evidence.

He also questions the reliability of Thomas Markle’s confession, pointing out inconsistencies with his previous statements and actions.

The defamation lawsuit is set to proceed to trial in November 2024, following a federal judge’s decision to grant Samantha Markle’s request for oral argument on her motion to dismiss the third amended complaint.

The trial is expected to span approximately five days and could feature testimony from both Meghan Markle and Samantha Markle, as well as other witnesses and experts.

This lawsuit is just one of several legal battles Meghan Markle is currently facing.

She is also suing various British tabloids for invasion of privacy and copyright infringement related to the publication of a letter she wrote to her father in 2018.

These legal challenges have further strained Meghan Markle’s already tense relationship with the royal family, which has been fraught since she and Prince Harry stepped back from their senior roles and relocated to the United States in 2020.

The couple has faced accusations of disrespecting the monarchy and airing their grievances in public, particularly after their explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey.

During the interview, they made several shocking allegations, including racism, lack of support, and isolation within the royal institution.

The royal family has denied these allegations, expressing sadness over the couple’s decisions but reaffirming their love and willingness to welcome them as family members.

Despite these sentiments, prospects for reconciliation appear slim, as Meghan Markle and Prince Harry continue to pursue their own endeavors.