This weekend, Prince Harry affectionately referred to Oprah Winfrey as one of his “fairy godmothers” during a lively celebration in Summerland, near Montecito. The Sus𝓈ℯ𝓍es partied alongside A-listers like Ellen DeGeneres, Jane Lynch, and Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos, as they enjoyed performances by Chappell Roan and Carole King the night before speaking at a bookstore opening inspired by Harry himself.
On Friday, September 6, they joined friends and family, including literary agent Jennifer Rudolph Walsh and cosmetics mogul Victoria Jackson, for an intimate gathering. Arriving in a sleek, dark Range Rover, the royal couple warmly greeted fellow guests, setting a friendly tone for the evening.
The atmosphere was electric as Meghan Markle, 43, donned a chic Ralph Lauren ensemble, joyfully shouted a spirited “Woo!” during the event. Photographs captured the glamorous Duchess sharing a heartfelt hug with Oprah, the iconic talk show host who had interviewed them during their explosive 2021 broadcast.
This enchanting evening not only highlighted the Sus𝓈ℯ𝓍es’ close-knit circle but also reaffirmed their connections with beloved friends in the entertainment industry.
Other pictured from the evening show a delighted Harry and Meghan posing outside the bookstore with its founders.
Elsewhere, when asked for book recommendations, the Prince reportedly jokingly pointed to a copy of his memoir – Spare.
Victoria, who has been close to the royal couple since their arrival in California four years ago, said that ‘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.’
The outlet also revealed that Prince Harry, 39, played a part in curating the bookshop’s name, as he had, at his own book party in Beverley Hills, thanked Oprah, Victoria and Jennifer for being his ‘fairy godmothers’.
It is then perhaps no wonder that Spare is displayed proudly and boldly at the store – along with his wife’s children’s book, The Bench.
Oprah’s sensational interview with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle – fresh off the heels of their resignations as senior royals – rocked The Firm when it aired in 2021.
It firmly cemented the infamous American talkshow host, 70 – who attended their wedding in 2018 – as an ally of the Sus𝓈ℯ𝓍es amid their rift with King Charles and the Prince and Princess of Wales.
‘I support them 1,000 percent,’ she had said of the pair’s move away from the UK, and distancing from regal duties.
However despite seeming to maintain warm relations – with the presenter even considering Harry and Meghan neighbours in Montecito – rumours over the years saw whispers that the couple were being ‘dropped like flies’ by Hollywood A-listers, Oprah included.
