Oprah WinfreysupportsMeghan MarkleandPrince Harry‘s royal exit “1,000 percent.”
“I support them 1,000 percent,” Winfrey told TMZ. “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?” Winfrey added.
Winfrey went on to condemn anyone who has anything negative to say about Harry and Meghan’s decision to step back as senior members of the royal family.
“Who are any of us to stand in judgement of that?” Winfrey told TMZ. “He did what he needed to do for his family. I don’t think anybody has any right to say anything. When a person has thought what is the best decision to make for my family and then he makes that decision — none of us have any right to say anything about that.”
Oprah Winfrey; Meghan Markle and Prince Harry.Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images; Chris Jackson/Getty Images
King, 65, chimed in, telling TMZ, “They didn’t make the decision in a vacuum. There were a lot of conversations. That’s why I thought it was very unfair to say the Queen was blindsided. Even the Queen’s own statement said these conversations have been going on for months.”
Winfrey and King have long been supporters of Meghan, with both women previously speaking out about their friend’s loving heart and the unfair treatment she received after marrying into the family.
That same month Winfrey, who had justannounced her partnership with Harryin creating a mental health series launching on Apple next year, told CBS, “I think she’s being portrayed unfairly, and I feel that if people really knew her they would know that she is not only everything we perceive of her in being graceful and dynamic in holding that position, but she just has a wonderful, warm, giving, loving heart.”
“I think it’s very unfair,” Winfrey added.
Although Winfrey is proud of Meghan and Harry’s new chapter, the media mogul told PEOPLE shedidn’t have anything to do with it.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry.DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/POOL/AFP via Getty
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Earlier this month, Winfrey spoke out amid a report that she had advised Meghan and Harry on their decision.
“Meghan and Harry do not need my help figuring out what’s best for them,” Winfrey, who famously attended the couple’s wedding in May 2018, tells PEOPLE.
“I care about them both and support whatever decisions they make for their family.”
Meghan and Harry shared their decision to step back from royal life on Jan. 8, soon after whichMeghan flew back to Canadatoreunite with Archie. Harry, meanwhile, remained in England to continue the discussion about the big changes ahead withQueen Elizabeth,Prince CharlesandPrince William.
“It brings me great sadness that it has come to this. The decision that I have made for my wife and I to step back, is not one I made lightly. It was so many months of talks after so many years of challenges,” he told the people gathered.
Prince Harry and son Archie.Sussex Royals
“And I know I haven’t always gotten it right, but as far as this goes, there really was no other option. What I want to make clear is we’re not walking away, and we certainly aren’t walking away from you,” he continued, going on to reference his late mother,Princess Diana.
“I was born into this life, and it is a great honor to serve my country and the queen,” he said. “When I lost my mum 23 years ago, you took me under your wing. You’ve looked out for me for so long, but the media is a powerful force, and my hope is one day our collective support for each other can be more powerful because this is so much bigger than just us.”
“It has been our privilege to serve you, and we will continue to lead a life of service,” he said.
The 93-year-old monarch released a statement on Saturday saying that the family had“found a constructive and supportive way forward.”
“Harry, Meghan and Archie will always be much-loved members of my family,” the Queen said in her statement. “I recognize the challenges they have experienced as a result of intense scrutiny over the last two years and support their wish for a more independent life.”
“I want to thank them for all their dedicated work across this country, the Commonwealth and beyond, and am particularly proud of how Meghan has so quickly become one of the family. It is my whole family’s hope that today’s agreement allows them to start building a happy and peaceful new life.”
source: people.com
