Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been reportedly caught off-guard by comments made by their former confidante, Oprah Winfrey. The talk show host made a relatively tame joke about the Sussex family name during a podcast appearance but the Duke and Duchess aren’t laughing.
During an appearance on the Let’s Talk Off Camera podcast, Oprah Winfrey shared a story that involved Harry and Meghan. Winfrey, who managed to get the royal couple to spill the beans on life behind Palace doors back in 2021, referred to the pair as “the Suss-ex-ex-exes,” poking fun at their name. As far as jokes go it’s really not that bad but it may spell trouble for her relationship with the Sussex family.
Meghan and Harry haven’t taken kindly to Oprah’s joke
It seems the joke about the name is a subtle dig at Meghan’s recent push to be referred to as Meghan Sussex rather than Markle. In an episode of her Netflix show, With Love, Meghan, the Duchess corrected her friend, Mindy Kaling, who referred to her by her old name, telling her “It’s funny you keep saying Meghan Markle, you know I’m Sussex now?” Winfrey’s emphasis on the name seems like an obvious nod to that infamous moment.
Journalist Rob Shuter claims that Meghan and Harry feel “stung” by the unnecessary roast. The couple have been close with Oprah for years, she was the first person they gave their bombshell interview with after leaving the firm. It’s safe to say the couple thought of her as a friend, she was even a guest at their wedding, but is this friend secretly laughing at them behind their backs?
Hollywood insiders say that “Oprah meant no harm” with her lighthearted joke, “But Meghan and Harry are very sensitive — especially about anything that makes them sound like a meme.” But after years of being the target of public outrage and cruel jokes it’s somewhat understandable.
It’s a delicate time for the Sussexes
This comes during a pretty stressful time for Harry and Meghan. The Prince is currently trying to rebuild the bridge that he and Meghan burned when they left the Royal family more than five years ago. A representative of the Prince met with a representative of King Charles’ last week to begin discussion on a possible reunion between the feuding royals.
As the Sussexes debate returning to the royal fold seeing former allies they had in the U.S. seemingly turn on them may make them feel as though relocating to the U.S. was a mistake after all. Another close friend of Harry’s, John Travolta, also turned his back on the Sussexes this month, which left the Duke feeling betrayed by his former friend.
One royal watcher put it best saying, “When Oprah jokes, the world listens — and Harry and Meghan know it.” Winfrey is influential, her opinion on the Sussexes could really damage them which is probably why they feel so hurt by it.
