Prince Harry Labels Oprah Winfrey One Of His 'Fairy Godmothers' Amid Feud With Royal Family
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle recently made an appearance at a bookstore opening in Summerland, which was hosted by literary agent Jennifer Rudolph Walsh and beauty mogul Victoria Jackson.
The event, attended by celebrities like Oprah Winfrey and Ellen DeGeneres, featured Harry joking about his memoir "Spare."
Despite claims that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are being avoided by A-listers, the couple's warm interactions, particularly with Oprah Winfrey, suggest their Hollywood connections remain strong.
Prince Harry And Meghan Markle Mingled With A-Listers
Harry and Meghan enjoyed an evening out ahead of their speaking engagement at a bookstore opening in Summerland, near Montecito, where they celebrated with a gathering of "friends and family.”
According to Town and Country Magazine, the Sussexes arrived discreetly in a dark Range Rover. Literary agent Jennifer Rudolph Walsh and beauty mogul Victoria Jackson hosted the event, which saw Harry and Meghan mingling with celebrities like Winfrey, Ellen DeGeneres, Jane Lynch, and Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos.
During brief remarks from the hosts, Meghan enthusiastically joined in with a joyful "Woo!" as the crowd cheered.
At one point during the evening, when asked for book recommendations, Harry humorously gestured toward a copy of his memoir, “Spare.”
Photos from the evening showed Prince Harry and Meghan Markle posing with the bookstore's founders outside its entrance.
Prince Harry Branded Oprah Winfrey One Of His 'Fairy Godmothers'
Victoria Jackson, a longtime friend of Harry and Meghan since their move to California four years ago, shared her thoughts on their presence, saying, “'seeing them be able to come here and be in a safe space... it's what we want it to be."
She added, “'Their support, and the light that it will shine on Godmothers, is pretty extraordinary.”
Jennifer Rudolph Walsh also shared a lighthearted moment with Harry, joking about learning from people both younger and older, quipping that "once he turns 40, she's got to find new people in their 30s!”
According to the T&C, Harry had a hand in selecting the bookstore’s name because, during his own book event in Beverly Hills, he had playfully referred to Oprah, Victoria, and Jennifer as his "fairy godmothers."
Unsurprisingly, "Spare" is prominently displayed at the new store, alongside Meghan’s children’s book, “The Bench.”
Meghan Markle Stuns In Chic Club Monaco Jumpsuit At Bookstore Opening
For the evening, Meghan exuded her signature polished look, choosing a sleeveless collared jumpsuit from Canadian label Club Monaco, known for its refined casualwear.
The duchess kept her accessories understated yet elegant, sporting her £5,000 Cartier Love bracelet, which she's had since at least 2017, a Logan Hollowell diamond tennis necklace, and Princess Diana's £17,800 Cartier Tank Fran?aise watch. To complete the ensemble, Meghan stepped out in Jimmy Choo’s Etana 50mm sandals in a chic tan and tortoise design.
Per the outlet, Meghan expressed her gratitude to Walsh and Jackson, acknowledging them for "'not just creating the space, but for holding the space for so many people to feel seen through the pages, either in laughter, in grief, in feeling less alone.”
However, the Duchess had to depart the "incredible" event earlier than planned, explaining she needed to "get home and make dinner for the kids."
Jennifer Rudolph Walsh Reflects On The Heartfelt Atmosphere At Godmothers Bookstore
In a post on her Instagram, Walsh shared her feelings about Godmothers, saying, "I just love it. People come in here and the phrase we hear over and over again is "I don't know why but this makes me feel like crying."
She added, "And that makes me feel like crying because I know why because we've put so much love and intention into everything. It's like - you know when you just take a bite of pound cake and you're like why is this so delicious? Oh, it's the butter? Well, the butter is the love in this and it's buttery and delicious.”
“And people are feeling that and they're feeling like they've found a home away from home," Walsh added, per the Daily Mail.
The bookstore event comes amid swirling rumors suggesting that Hollywood elites, including Winfrey, were distancing themselves from Harry and Meghan. However, the recent meeting between the Duchess and the television icon indicates that their friendship remains intact.
Prince Harry And Meghan Markle Might Be Planning A Third Tour This Year
Building on the success of their previous two quasi-royal tours, Harry and Meghan are reportedly considering plans for a third tour.
Though they have not officially confirmed any plans or potential destinations for a new tour, it's speculated that countries like Lesotho and Botswana are under consideration.
Harry last visited these countries in 2019 and is rumored to be considering a return, as they are closely linked to his charity, Sentebale. The charity's first initiative was established in Lesotho in 2006 in collaboration with Prince Seeiso of Lesotho, while the Botswana project was launched in 2016.
An insider told Hello! that the Duke is well-positioned to continue participating in such tours alongside his wife, as he is accustomed to them.
They said, "That's his world, that's what he's used to, and that's what he knows. He can still add value."