Meghan Markle’s lawyer has waived service in her half-sister’s libel lawsuit—but unusually did not refer to her as a duchess in the paperwork, Newsweek can reveal.
Samantha Markle is suing for defamation in part over the Oprah Winfrey interview, but also based on private emails Meghan sent her former Kensington Palace communications secretary.
Michael Kump, Meghan’s attorney, has submitted a court filing, seen by Newsweek, giving the green light for the case to proceed without formal, in-person service.
Interestingly, he refers to the royal as “Meghan Markle,” as she is publicly known and referred to by many media organizations, including Newsweek. However, she has generally referred to herself as “Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex,” since marrying Prince Harry and her Archewell website refers to her that way.
Kump has previously referred to her as a duchess when he filed a lawsuit against paparazzi who had been using drones to photograph baby Archie playing in private.
The plaintiffs in that case were listed as: “Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex and Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex.”
The reason behind the change in style is not clear but may relate to the fact Samantha Markle named her sister as “Meghan Markle” in her own complaint.
Kump’s recent court filing read: “I, or the entity I represent, agree to save the expense of serving a summons and complaint in this case.
“I understand that I, or the entity I represent, will keep all defenses or objections to the lawsuit, the court’s…
