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The Real Reason Why Meghan Markle is Allegedly Trying to Prevent Prince Harry and Oprah From Testifying in Court

The legal battle between Samantha and Meghan Markle is heating up. 

Ever since Prince Harry started dating Meghan Markle, her family drama has occupied headlines. From her father, Thomas Markle, sharing personal details about his daughter in interviews to her half-sister, Samantha, writing a book based on the Duchess, Meghan has done her best to quiet the noise. However, Samantha sued her half-sister for $75,000 in damages, for creating a "false narrative and fairy-tale life story" in her Oprah interview and Finding Freedom biography released the year before. She claims that statements made on the show and in the book – especially the one where Meghan claims to have grown up an only child – humiliated her at a public level. Now, as lawyers for both sides are preparing to hash it out in court, Meghan is trying to prevent her husband and close friend from having to testify. 

1
Team Samantha Wants to Depose Thomas Markle, Prince Harry, and Oprah

Oprah Winfrey at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival in 2014
Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com

According to Newsweek, Samantha Markle's lawyers are trying to depose Meghan's father, Thomas, between October 5 and 21. They also want a deposition from Prince Harry, and Oprah Winfrey. However, Meghan's legal team maintains that deposing any of them would be a waste of time. 

2
Team Meghan Is Opposing the Request

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Team Meghan is attempting to block the media queen and prince from having to give their testimony. For one, Meghan maintains she didn't make any of the statements published in the biography written by Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand.

3
She Claims She Presented a "Non-Actionable Opinion"

Markle Markle talks about her father Thomas Markle during Oprah interview
Harpo Productions via CBS

And, with regard to her interview with Oprah where she discussed her relationship with Samanta, she claims she presented a "non-actionable opinion" that is also "substantially true."

4
A Deposition Would Be An "Unnecessary Spectacle"

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"A deposition of Mr Markle at this juncture, along with other discovery, would be an unnecessary spectacle and waste of the parties' time, money, and resources," they added, shooting down the need for Meghan's father to testify. 

5
Meghan Simply Exercised "Fundamental First Amendment Rights"

 

Karwai Tang/WireImage

"[Samantha Markle] should not be permitted to force Meghan and, potentially, numerous non parties to devote substantial resources to extraneous discovery while a meritorious motion that could dispose of the entire case is pending," they continued, adding that Meghan was "exercising fundamental First Amendment rights" to free speech.

Leah Groth
Leah Groth has decades of experience covering all things health, wellness and fitness related. Read more
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