Good friends may be hard to come by, but Tyler Perry and Meghan Markle have proved that’s not always the case. The media mogul has long enjoyed a friendship with The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Markle, and just last week the former “Suits” star showed up to publicly support her friend Perry.
Perry and Markle’s connection goes back years, beginning during one of the most turbulnant times for Harry & Megan: “Megxit.” In a recent interview, Perry opened up about his support of Markle, offering some insight on his connection with the royal couple and their major decision to “step back” from the royal family.
Tyler Lent The Duke and Duchess His Los Angeles Home
In case you forgot, the “Diary of a Mad Black Woman” creator was very instrumental in the Duke and Duchess’ lives in 2020 as they removed themselves from certain royal family duties. As documented in their docuseries “Harry & Meghan,” Perry offered the two of them his L.A. home, as well as a private jet and security team as their temporary exile in Canada became complicated as the COVID-19 pandemic hit the world.
“I’d never met him before,” the duchess explained in the 2022 docuseries. “I was a wreck. I was just crying and crying. Sometimes it’s easier to open up to someone who knows nothing at all, and that was that moment with me and Tyler.”
Princess Lilibet Gets a Godfather
Meghan and Harry welcomed their second child, Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor, in 2021 and subsequently asked Perry to be her godfather. Perry recalled the phone call when they asked him in their docuseries, saying, “I thought, ‘I’d be honored. I’d absolutely be honored.’”
“I called them back and go, ‘Uh, hold on a second — does this mean we gotta go over [to the U.K.] and do all of that in church with [the royal family] and figure all that out? ‘Cause I don’t wanna do that,’ “ he added, giving them just one condition. “‘Maybe we can do a little private ceremony here [in the U.S.] and let that be that, and if you have to do it there, then that’s okay.’ “
Tyler’s Loyalty to the Sussexes Has Never Wavered
In a recent interview with the Sunday Times, Perry was naturally asked about Meghan and Harry, specifically if he helped “prepare” the couple for their move to the United States four years ago. “I didn’t,” he replied to the reporter. “Meghan is from California. She knows California well. So there was nothing to prepare them for.”
He then took a moment to comment on the intense media coverage of the couple, specifically in the U.K., saying, “What I learnt about mentioning them — because there’s this insatiable appetite to know all about them — is that any question that is asked becomes the headline of anything I say.”
He then asked the reporter why “the appetite so insatiable,” saying, “You’re from the UK, you tell me.” While the reporter pressed that the headlines in the U.S. are “just as plentiful,” he responded, “You think? Well, you would know better than I would because I’m not paying attention to that world.” Clearly, Perry is not messing around when it comes to his close relationship with the Duke and Duchess.
Meghan Steps Out To Support Perry
Just last week, Meghan made a very rare public appearance when she attended the Paley Honors Fall Gala. Supporting Perry, who was recognized that evening both for his trailblazing career in entertainment as well as his philanthropic efforts, Markle hit the carpet to chat with and take some pictures with Perry.
As Vanity Fair reported, Markle was by Perry’s side the entire evening. “She sat next to him and supported him throughout the entire night,” Vanity Fair reported, adding that Markle comforted him as he held back tears during Oprah Winfrey’s 14-minute speech for him.
Through the highs and lows, it’s clear that Meghan and Tyler’s support of each other is unwavering, and we love to see it.