Oprah Winfrey Offered Advice to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on Their Royal Exit
In the aftermath of "Megxit," Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's announcement that they would be stepping back from the royal family, more details are emerging as to exactly how they made that decision. Apparently, TV Queen Oprah Winfrey played a central role in advising the couple about their decision.
Winfrey attended their wedding and is also close with Meghan's mother Doria Ragland. According to reports in Page Six, Oprah advised the Sussexes that they could break free of the royal family by establishing their own brand.
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It's advice that Oprah herself would know quite a bit about. She's established one of the most powerful person brands on the planet, after all.
As for Harry and Meghan, they've trademarked the brand "Sussex Royal" on more than 100 different properties in the UK, including stationary, clothing, photographs, and educational and charitable endeavors. The combined revenue of these trademarked items is expected to be in excess of $500 million, which should allow them to live comfortably for a long time.
According to one source, "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."
Oprah isn't the only powerful celebrity friend that the royal couple has made, but she's definitely one of the most powerful. That list also includes US allies like George and Amal Clooney, Serena Williams, the Obamas, and even former Brit James Corden as well.
Harry and Oprah collaborated on a TV series focused on mental health for Apple TV+. The show is set to make its debut later this year. It is believed that the couple had "frank conversations" that he and Meghan faced while they were in the spotlight.
Harry also said that he thinks about his mother, Diana, "every single time I see a camera … every time I see a flash." It's a stunning moment of vulnerability from the usually reserved royals.
Harry has plenty of justification for being wary of the spotlight, though. Diana received an enormous amount of press attention, and many believe that it ultimately played a role in her death. Harry has now seen his wife go through something very similar with the UK press, so it makes sense that he'd want off the roller coaster.
Whatever happens next for Harry and Meghan, it's clear that they want to put the happiness of their own family first, and that's worth celebrating.
