Meghan Markle's estranged half-sister appeared in a court in Florida this week in an attempt to secure a trial against the Duchess of Sussex.

Samantha Markle, 58, claims that Meghan Markle, 42, defamed her during the Sussexes' bombshell 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey as well as in her Netflix docuseries released by her and her husband Prince Harry the following year.

Samantha is the daughter of Meghan's estranged father, Thomas Markle, who married Meghan's mum Doria Ragland after Samantha and her brother Thomas were born.

She accuses her half sister of implying she is an "imposter" and a "charlatan" in her interviews for Netflix and with the US chat show host, the Express reports.

Samantha is seeking damages in her claim against the former Suits actress, exceeding $75,000 as she claims that Meghan's comments caused her to lose out on book sales for The Diary of Princess Pushy's Sister as well as social and professional damage to her image.

Samantha's lawyer, Peter Ticktin, argues that his client is afraid to leave her home due to the harassment she allegedly received after Meghan's interviews.

The author suffers from multiple sclerosis and has been in a wheelchair for most of her adult life.

Michel Kump, Meghan's lawyer, said that Samantha's claims were baseless as they said that none of Meghan's statements were defamatory.

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He said: "This has always been a lawsuit in search of a viable claim. The case has failed because it runs head first up against defamation law and the First Amendment."

The case was originally brought in March 2022 but was dismissed a year later after a judge ruled that Meghan was expressing "an opinion about her childhood and her relationship with her half-sibling".

Samantha is now fighting to bring the claim to trial in Florida and Judge Charlene Honeywell is expected to rule whether the case can proceed to trial in the upcoming weeks.

The Duchess's half-sister said she was "optimistic" about the case going to trial.

She told The US Sun: "I think the truth stands on its own, so I'm optimistic and thankful that we have a justice system that gives us the chance to present the facts."

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