Oprah denies helping Prince Harry and Meghan Markle build new role: 'They don't need my advice on breaking free'

Oprah Winfrey has denied helping Harry and Meghan build their new roles
Getty Images
David Gardner10 January 2020

Oprah Winfrey has spoken out after reports in the US claimed she advised the Duke and Duchess of Sussex about breaking free from the royal family and building their own brand.

Sources told the New York Post that Oprah, 65, had encouraged the couple to seek a new life in North America backed by the creation of a powerful new “Sussex Royal” identity.

But Oprah, who was among the celebrity guests at the couple’s 2018 wedding, said: “Meghan and Harry do not need my help figuring out what’s best for them.”

The American former daytime TV star told People magazine: “I care about them both and support whatever decisions they make for their family.”

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry
Getty Images

The media mogul worked with Harry on a documentary about mental health for Apple TV+ which will be broadcast later this year.

The pair were said to have had “frank conversations” about the struggles the prince and Meghan have faced in the media spotlight in Britain.

An insider was quoted as telling the New York Post: “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 realise it was really possible.”

Oprah Winfrey - In pictures

1/38

The Post also claimed that Oprah’s best friend, US broadcaster Gayle King, who was at Meghan’s baby shower in New York, will get the first interview with the couple in the wake of their shock announcement.

The report claimed that Oprah was one of a number of influential US-based friends close to Meghan and Harry, including Barack and Michelle Obama, George and Amal Clooney, Serena Williams, James Corden and fashion designer Misha Nonoo.

According to the Post, Ms Nonoo’s new husband Michael Hess has offered the couple the use of one of his oil family’s three homes in the exclusive gated Malibu Colony, which is dubbed “Billionaire’s Beach” in southern California.

The prince is said to be considering styling his new life on Mr Obama’s post-White House career, involving philanthropic causes, speeches, book deals and making documentaries.

Listen to today's episode of The Leader:

Create a FREE account to continue reading

eros

Registration is a free and easy way to support our journalism.

Join our community where you can: comment on stories; sign up to newsletters; enter competitions and access content on our app.

Your email address

Must be at least 6 characters, include an upper and lower case character and a number

You must be at least 18 years old to create an account

* Required fields

Already have an account? SIGN IN

By clicking Create Account you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use , Cookie policy and Privacy policy .

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in