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Oprah Winfrey reacts to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's royal exit

The media mogul said she backed their decision


harry and meghan oprah© Photo: Getty Images
Chloe Best
Lifestyle Features Editor
January 23, 2020
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Oprah Winfrey has defended the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's decision to step back from royal duties, saying she supports them "1,000 percent". The 65-year-old and her best friend Gayle King – who were both guests at Meghan's baby shower in New York last year – shared their thoughts on the couple's new life during a night out in the Big Apple on Tuesday.

WATCH: See Prince Harry explain his decision to step back in Sentebale speech

Speaking to TMZ, Oprah said: "I support them 1,000 percent. 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?"

MORE: Where Prince Harry and Meghan could live in Canada

Oprah Gayle King 2016© Photo: Getty Images

Oprah and Gayle King supported the Duke and Duchess of Sussex

The US mogul added that we shouldn't judge Prince Harry for his decision, adding: "He did what he needed to do for his family. I don't think anybody has any right to say anything."

MORE: Watch the key dates in Prince Harry and Meghan's decision to step back from royal life

Gayle agreed, saying she thought it had been "unfair" to say the Queen had been "blindsided" by Prince Harry and Meghan's decision. "Even the Queen's own statement said these conversations have been going on for months," she added.

Prince Harry Archie Harrison Canada© Photo: Instagram

"He did what he needed to do for his family," Oprah said of Prince Harry

Both Oprah and Gayle have been vocal supporters of the royal couple in the past couple of years, and Oprah was also a guest at the royal wedding in May 2018. She is even working with Harry on a series of documentaries for Apple focusing on both mental illness and mental wellness, topics the Duke is particularly passionate about.

MORE: Get to know Prince Harry and Meghan's celebrity friends

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