Oprah defends Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's move to step away from royal life

Oprah Winfrey has said she supports Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s decision to step away from royal life “1,000 per cent”.

While out in New York City on Tuesday night, Winfrey and her close friend Gayle King shared their thoughts on the couple’s decision to “step back” from the royal family.

“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 criticise people who have taken issue with Meghan and Harry’s decision to step back as senior members of the royal family.

“Who are any of us to stand in judgement of that?” Winfrey said.

“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. That’s his decision for his family.”

King also chimed in, adding that the couple did not 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,” she said.

“Even the Queen’s own statement said these conversations have been going on for months.”

Several other celebrities have spoken out in support of Meghan and Harry since they announced their decision to move away from royal life, including Jameela Jamil and Stormzy.

Earlier this month, Hugh Grant offered his thoughts during an interview with Andy Cohen on his Radio Andy Sirius XM show.

“I’m rather on Harry’s side,” the actor said.

“The tabloid press effectively murdered his mother, now they’re tearing his wife to pieces,” referring to Diana, Princess of Wales, who died in a car accident in Paris on 31 August 1997, while the vehicle was being pursued by paparazzi.

The Paddington 2 star continued: “I think as a man, it’s his job to protect his family, so I’m with him.”

The comments follow a statement released by Meghan and Harry on 8 January on Instagram, which revealed their plans to “carve out a progressive new role within this institution”.

Shortly after, Buckingham Palace released a statement clarifying that discussions about the couple’s future were “at an early stage”.

Now, following a crisis meeting with the Queen at Sandringham Estate, it has been revealed that the couple will split their time between the UK and North America and will also drop their respective HRH titles.

During a recent charity event, Harry addressed the couple’s exit, stating that the decision was made after months of talks and “so many years of challenges”.

“I know I haven’t always gotten it right, but as far as this goes, there really was no other option,” Harry said.

“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 honour to serve my country and the queen. When I lost my mum 23 years ago, you took me under your wing,” he added.

“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."