It’s been a long road for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who have officially stepped back from their roles as senior members of the royal family. But aside from the media whirlwind and host of questions that have arisen from their decision, a saving grace has been the staggering amount of support they’ve received from friends and fans. Some of that praise came from none other than Oprah Winfrey.
The 65-year-old has grown close to the couple over the years and even attended their 2018 wedding at Windsor Castle in London. She also knows a thing or two about pivoting and building a global personal brand (aka Oprah knows best). Well, the media mogul has once again come to the defense of the duke and duchess. While out in New York City on Tuesday, Winfrey and her BFF Gayle King were asked by TMZ for their thoughts on the royal couple’s decision.
“I support them 1,000 percent,” Winfrey said. “You know why I support them? I support them because I believe, when you have thought about this as long as they have—and even in the Queen’s statement [she] says, ‘This has been going on for months,’ these discussions have been going on for months—and when Harry said in that charity statement the other day [that] he had to make the decision to move forward in peace with his new family, who doesn’t feel what that takes to make that decision to give up everything you’ve known your whole life to say I’m going to choose this new life or what I believe to be the truest vision for myself?”
Earlier this month, due to incorrect speculation that Oprah was instrumental in the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s decision to shift their role, she opted to issue a formal statement.
