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.”
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
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.
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