Meghan Markle and Samantha Markle’s Feud Explained

When Meghan Markle married Prince Harry in 2018, becoming the Duchess of Sussex, the world became fascinated not only with her fairy-tale romance but also with her complicated family dynamics. Among the most scrutinized relationships has been the one between Meghan and her half-sister, Samantha Markle. Their relationship, or lack thereof, has been the subject of countless headlines, interviews, and public disputes that continue to unfold years later.

The Markle Family Background

Yes, Meghan Markle does have a sister—or more accurately, a half-sister. Samantha Markle, who recently celebrated her 60th birthday, shares the same father as Meghan: Thomas Markle, a retired television lighting director and director of photography. However, the sisters have different mothers and a significant age gap, with Samantha being approximately 17 years older than Meghan.

Samantha was born to Thomas Markle and his first wife, Roslyn, during a marriage that lasted a little more than a decade before ending in divorce in 1973. The couple also had a son together, Thomas Markle Jr., making him Meghan’s half-brother. After separating from Roslyn, Thomas married Meghan’s mother, Doria Ragland, in 1979. They welcomed Rachel Meghan Markle in 1981, but their marriage ended in 1987.

This blended family structure means that Meghan and Samantha grew up in different households and under vastly different circumstances. While Meghan spent much of her childhood with her mother in Los Angeles, Samantha lived separately and had limited contact with her younger half-sister during their formative years.

The Public Feud Begins

The tension between Meghan and Samantha became public knowledge shortly after news broke in 2016 that Meghan was dating Prince Harry. Within weeks of the relationship becoming public, Samantha began speaking to the media about her half-sister, issuing what she described as warnings about Meghan’s character and behavior.

In November 2016, just weeks after the world learned about Meghan’s romance with Prince Harry, Samantha gave an interview describing her sister as narcissistic and selfish. She was quoted as saying that the royal family would be appalled by how Meghan had treated her own family, and suggested that if the truth came out, it would kill her relationship with Prince Harry. Samantha claimed that Hollywood had changed Meghan and theorized that her ultimate ambition was to become a princess—something she allegedly dreamed about as a girl while watching the royals on television.

These early comments set the tone for what would become a years-long public dispute between the two sisters. While many dismissed Samantha’s remarks as the bitter complaints of a jealous sibling, she continued to speak out in various media outlets, sharing her perspective on their family dynamics and Meghan’s rise to fame.

Samantha’s Health Struggles and Allegations

Adding another layer of complexity to the situation is Samantha’s health condition. She has been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and now uses a wheelchair due to the progressive nature of the disease. During interviews, Samantha has expressed hurt over the fact that Meghan allegedly hadn’t reached out to her in years, even after learning about her MS diagnosis.

According to Samantha, the last time she saw Meghan in person was at her graduation in 2008. She shared in an Australian radio interview that she felt particularly wounded by what she perceived as hypocrisy on Meghan’s part—specifically regarding Meghan’s public advocacy for charitable causes and humanitarianism. Samantha argued that charity should begin at home, stating that reaching out to family doesn’t necessarily mean providing financial support but simply maintaining connection and showing care.

She was particularly troubled by the fact that Meghan met Prince Harry at the Invictus Games, an event supporting wounded veterans, yet seemingly couldn’t find time to reach out to her own sister who was dealing with a debilitating illness. Samantha felt that this presented an opportunity to raise awareness about MS, but that chance was never taken.

The Name Change Controversy

Another point of contention in the public narrative surrounding the sisters involves Samantha’s name. She was originally known as Samantha Grant, having taken her previous married name. However, around the time that Prince Harry entered the picture and Meghan’s profile rose significantly, Samantha changed her surname back to Markle.

Critics suggested that this name change was a calculated move to capitalize on Meghan’s newfound fame and association with the British royal family. The timing of the change raised eyebrows and led some to question Samantha’s motives in speaking out so publicly about her half-sister. Former Good Morning Britain host Piers Morgan even referred to Samantha as a “vulture,” reflecting the harsh public judgment she faced.

Samantha, however, has maintained that her decision to speak publicly was rooted in genuine concern about how Meghan treated their father and the rest of the family, rather than a desire for attention or financial gain.

The Royal Wedding Exclusion

When Meghan and Harry’s wedding took place in May 2018 at Windsor Castle, it became a global spectacle watched by millions. However, notably absent from the guest list were several members of Meghan’s family, including Samantha. The exclusion was not surprising given the public feud, but it further deepened the rift between the sisters.

Samantha was not invited to the royal wedding, a fact that became yet another talking point in the ongoing family drama. While some members of the public sympathized with Meghan’s decision to exclude family members who had been critical of her in the media, others saw it as confirmation of Samantha’s claims that Meghan had turned her back on her family.

The wedding also brought attention to the strained relationship between Meghan and her father, Thomas Markle Sr., who ultimately did not attend the ceremony due to health issues and a scandal involving staged paparazzi photos. Samantha later claimed responsibility for arranging those photos, adding another complicated dimension to the family discord.

Legal Battles and Defamation Claims

The feud between Meghan and Samantha escalated to the legal realm when Samantha sued Meghan and Prince Harry for defamation in March 2022. The lawsuit was based on comments made during the couple’s explosive 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey and their 2022 Netflix documentary series, Harry & Meghan.

Samantha sought $75,000 in damages, alleging that statements made by Meghan during these high-profile appearances were false and damaging to her reputation. The legal action represented a significant escalation in the sisters’ conflict, taking their dispute from the court of public opinion into an actual courtroom.

However, this year a US court dismissed the case with prejudice, meaning that Samantha cannot refile the same complaint against the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. The dismissal was viewed by many as a victory for Meghan and Harry, though it’s unlikely to end the public commentary from Samantha about her half-sister.

Thomas Markle’s Role in the Family Drama

Central to the conflict between Meghan and Samantha is their shared father, Thomas Markle Sr. The retired Hollywood lighting designer, who has experienced numerous health issues in recent years, has not spoken to Meghan in over six years. He suffered a stroke in 2022, and in April 2023, he made what was described as a “deathbed plea” to the Duchess, expressing concern that he might not have enough time left to reconcile with his daughter.

Meghan and her father were reportedly very close for many years before their relationship deteriorated around the time of her wedding to Prince Harry. The breakdown of this relationship has been a source of pain for both Thomas and Samantha, who has repeatedly criticized her half-sister for cutting off their father.

Speaking to the Daily Mail following the death of her mother Roslyn last month, Samantha shared an emotional message about the importance of family reconciliation. She warned Meghan that when their father passes away, it will be too late to make amends, saying she knows from personal experience the pain of that loss. Samantha revealed that she almost left reconciliation with her own mother too late and urged Meghan and Harry to learn from her experience.

Samantha’s Perspective on Meghan’s Royal Behavior

Beyond the personal family grievances, Samantha has also been vocal about her views on how Meghan has conducted herself as a member of the British royal family. Despite admitting that she is not familiar with the intricacies of royal protocol, Samantha stated that as a human being watching from across the pond, she couldn’t believe how Meghan behaved toward the royal family.

Samantha emphasized that her father doesn’t want Meghan to pay him back financially—what he and the family desire is love and connection. She spoke about the pain in the heart that exists when family love is absent, drawing parallels to her experience with her late mother, who she said died feeling alone and unloved.

In 2020, when Harry and Meghan made the decision to step back from their royal duties and relocate to California, Samantha claimed she never thought Meghan would do what she has done to the royal family. This sentiment reflected a broader criticism that Meghan had not shown proper respect or gratitude to the institution that welcomed her.

The Impact on Meghan’s Children

One of the more recent points of contention involves Meghan and Harry’s children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. Samantha has expressed unhappiness about the fact that the children do not have a relationship with their grandfather, Thomas Markle Sr. She stated that excluding their father from the children’s lives is not in the best interest of the grandchildren and that she won’t be happy if he continues to be excluded.

To this day, Thomas Markle has not met his grandchildren, a situation that Samantha finds deeply troubling. She has advocated for her father’s inclusion in the children’s lives at an appropriate time, arguing that every child benefits from knowing their extended family.

The Memoir and Public Commentary

Adding fuel to the fire, Samantha announced plans to write a memoir titled “The Diary of Princess Pushy’s Sister,” which was intended to share her side of the story and shed light on the Markle family dynamics. The provocative title alone generated significant media attention and was seen by Meghan’s supporters as yet another attempt by Samantha to profit from her half-sister’s fame.

Throughout the years, Samantha has given numerous interviews to various media outlets, maintaining a consistent narrative about Meghan’s alleged character flaws and treatment of family. Whether through newspaper interviews, radio appearances, or social media posts, Samantha has remained a vocal critic of her half-sister, showing no signs of backing down or seeking private reconciliation.

Theories About the Motivation Behind the Feud

The public has been divided in their interpretation of this family conflict. Some believe that Samantha is genuinely hurt by what she perceives as Meghan’s abandonment of her family and that her public statements stem from a place of authentic pain and concern. This perspective holds that Samantha truly finds Meghan’s behavior toward their father and the royal family appalling and feels compelled to speak out.

Others view Samantha’s actions more cynically, suggesting that jealousy plays a significant role. They point to the timing of her media appearances and name change, which coincided with Meghan’s relationship with Prince Harry becoming public, as evidence that Samantha is seeking attention and possibly financial benefit from her connection to the Duchess of Sussex.

A more nuanced view suggests that both motivations can coexist—that Samantha may genuinely feel hurt and disappointed by Meghan’s actions while simultaneously feeling envious of her half-sister’s success and fame. Human emotions are complex, and family dynamics particularly so, making it difficult to reduce the situation to a simple explanation of pure jealousy or pure concern.

The Public’s Reaction

The ongoing saga between Meghan and Samantha Markle has captivated public attention for nearly a decade. Opinion remains sharply divided, with passionate supporters on both sides. Those who support Meghan tend to view Samantha as an embittered relative attempting to capitalize on her half-sister’s fame, someone who had minimal contact with Meghan during her childhood and only emerged publicly when there was something to gain.

Conversely, Samantha’s supporters see her as someone courageously speaking truth to power, willing to challenge the carefully crafted public image that Meghan and her PR team have constructed. They appreciate her willingness to provide what they believe is necessary context about Meghan’s past and character.

The media has played a significant role in perpetuating this feud, with tabloids on both sides of the Atlantic eagerly publishing every new development, interview, or social media post from either sister. This constant media attention has made private reconciliation nearly impossible and has turned what might have been a private family matter into a very public spectacle.

Where Things Stand Today

As of now, there appears to be no reconciliation on the horizon between Meghan and Samantha Markle. The relationship remains deeply fractured, with both sisters holding firm to their respective positions. Samantha continues to speak publicly about her half-sister, most recently discussing the impact of their mother’s death and urging Meghan to reconcile with their father before it’s too late.

Meghan and Harry, meanwhile, have maintained their distance from the Markle family drama, rarely if ever responding directly to Samantha’s public statements. Their approach has been to focus on their own lives, their charitable work, and their children, largely ignoring the ongoing commentary from Meghan’s estranged relatives.

The dismissed defamation lawsuit might have ended the legal aspect of their conflict, but it has done nothing to resolve the underlying family issues or stop the flow of public commentary. For Samantha, speaking out appears to have become part of her identity and mission, while for Meghan, moving forward without engaging seems to be the chosen strategy.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: How are Meghan Markle and Samantha Markle related?

A: Meghan Markle and Samantha Markle are half-sisters who share the same father, Thomas Markle. Samantha is approximately 17 years older than Meghan and was born from Thomas’s first marriage to Roslyn, while Meghan was born from his second marriage to Doria Ragland.

Q: When did the feud between Meghan and Samantha become public?

A: The feud became public in 2016, shortly after news broke that Meghan was dating Prince Harry. Samantha began giving media interviews criticizing her half-sister and warning about her character within weeks of the relationship becoming public knowledge.

Q: Was Samantha Markle invited to Meghan’s royal wedding?

A: No, Samantha Markle was not invited to Meghan and Harry’s wedding in May 2018 at Windsor Castle. Several members of Meghan’s family were excluded from the guest list due to their strained relationships and public criticism.

Q: Did Samantha Markle sue Meghan Markle?

A: Yes, Samantha sued Meghan and Prince Harry for defamation in March 2022, seeking $75,000 in damages over comments made during their Oprah Winfrey interview and Netflix series. However, a US court dismissed the case with prejudice earlier this year.

Q: What health condition does Samantha Markle have?

A: Samantha Markle has been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS), a progressive neurological condition. She now uses a wheelchair due to the effects of the disease.

Q: When was the last time Meghan and Samantha saw each other?

A: According to Samantha, the last time she saw Meghan in person was at Meghan’s graduation in 2008, more than 17 years ago.

Q: Has Thomas Markle met Meghan’s children?

A: No, Thomas Markle Sr. has not met his grandchildren, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. He has not spoken to Meghan in over six years.