Oprah Winfrey has denied reports that she advised Meghan Markle and Prince Harry regarding their decision to step back as senior members of the royal family.
Following the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s unprecedented announcement Wednesday, it was originally reported by Page Six that Winfrey had been behind the couple offering advice about “breaking free”.
Winfrey, who attended the couple’s wedding in 2018, has since cleared up the rumours, telling People: “Meghan and Harry do not need my help figuring out what’s best for them.”
The TV mogul did express her support for the couple, however, adding: “I care about them both and support whatever decisions they make for their family.”
In addition to announcing their plans to step down from their duties as members of the royal family, the duke and duchess also expressed their intentions to become financially independent and split their time between North America and the United Kingdom.
“After many months of reflection and internal discussions, we have chosen to make a transition this year in starting to carve out a progressive new role within this institution,” the couple wrote on Instagram. “We intend to step back as ‘senior’ members of the Royal Family and work to become financially independent, while continuing to fully support Her Majesty The Queen. It is with your encouragement, particularly over the last few years, that we feel prepared to make this adjustment.
“We now plan to balance our time between the United Kingdom and North America, continuing to honour our duty to The Queen, the Commonwealth, and our patronages.”
Despite a statement from Buckingham Palace that appeared to walk back the couple’s announcement, in which it said conversations are “at an early stage,” the duchess has since returned to Canada to be with the couple’s eight-month-old son Archie.
While Winfrey may not have helped the couple in their decision-making, she was one of numerous celebrities, including Bette Midler and Jameela Jamil, to publicly respond to the couple’s news.
“And that folks, is what power looks like,” Jamil tweeted.
