Oprah Winfrey denies giving Harry and Meghan advise prior to Megxit, says they 'don't need my help'
Oprah Winfrey denied advising Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on their decision to step back as senior members of the Royal Family and following their own path to becoming financially independent. “Meghan and Harry do not need my help figuring out what’s best for them,” Oprah told People magazine.“I care about them both and support whatever decisions they make for their family.”
The 65-year-old media mogul, who famously attended the couple’s wedding in May 2018, spoke out after a Page Six report on Thursday, January 9, claimed that Oprah had a role to play in their ground-breaking announcement that they were going to break away from their royal duties. “Oprah was the first person to talk to Harry and Meghan about breaking free and doing their own thing, building on their own brand. She made them realize it was really possible," a source told Page Six.
Oprah is close to Meghan's mother, Doria Ragland, and the report claimed that she discussed the Sussexes' “declaration of independence” and encouraged them to consider moving to North America in order to earn a living by building their own powerful brand. The couple has already trademarked “Sussex Royal” as a brand on more than 100 properties in the UK, including clothing, photographs and educational and charitable endeavors, and which has been predicted to garner revenue of over $500 million.
For a mental-health series for Apple TV+, set to air later this year, Oprah has also collaborated with Harry where the duo had “frank conversations” about the turmoil he and his wife had to face in the spotlight, which the report suggested might have played a role in the Sussexes' announcement.
The report also claimed that a list of celebrities, including the Obamas, George and Amal Clooney, Serena Williams and James Corden have rallied behind the couple and supported their decision to become independent.
Meghan's friend, designer Misha Nonoo's husband - the oil empire heir Michael Hess - has even offered the couple a place to stay in one of his family’s lavish homes in the gated Malibu Colony dubbed “Billionaire’s Beach", the NY Post reported.
