6 Famous Faces Who Chose Harry and Meghan Over the Royal Family

When Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepped back from royal duties in 2020, they found themselves at the center of intense scrutiny. From public criticism to a growing rift with parts of the royal establishment, the couple had it rough. While the majority were against them, the rest remained neutral, leaving only a handful of people with longstanding ties to the royal family or its inner circle, publicly backing the Sussexes. These people offered Markle and Harry everything, from emotional support and public advocacy to practical help during one of the most turbulent periods of their lives. Here, we bring you the list of those who actually stood by them through it all.

Princess Diana's family has often been viewed as a bridge between Harry and his mother's legacy. Reports over the years have suggested that Diana's brother, Charles Spencer, as well as other members of the Spencer family, were sympathetic to Harry's concerns about media intrusion and understood the parallels he drew with Diana's experiences. While his bond with the royal family fractured, Prince Harry found a steady anchor in his mother’s side of the family. Multiple Spencer relatives have continued to show up for major Sussex milestones, with Charles Spencer notably keeping the doors to his estate wide open for Harry, Meghan, and their children.

Elton John’s legendary friendship with Princess Diana didn't end with her passing—it evolved into a fierce protective bond over Prince Harry. He publicly criticized media attacks on Harry and Markle and defended their use of a private jet for a family holiday, revealing he had personally arranged and funded the flight—complete with a carbon offset. For Harry, Elton's support carried added significance because of the singer's long-standing bond with his mother.

Within royal circles, Princess Eugenie is recognized as one of Prince Harry's closest confidantes. The cousins shared a warm bond long before the Sussexes stepped back from royal duties, and this relationship has managed to survive even after Harry had a fallout with the rest of the family. Eugenie and her husband, Jack Brooksbank, even moved into Frogmore Cottage after Harry and Meghan relocated to California, and the cousins have kept in close contact ever since. While Eugenie carefully avoids taking sides publicly, she is said to be the Sussexes' strongest ally within the royal fold—a position that has reportedly even caused friction with Prince William.

Tyler Perry is extremely close to Harry and Markle, and he became one of the couple's most important allies during their transition out of royal life. In 2020, as they left Canada and sought privacy in the United States, Perry offered them his Beverly Hills mansion and security arrangements, providing a safe haven at a critical moment. The bond grew so strong that Harry and Markle later chose Perry as godfather to their daughter, Princess Lilibet.

Oprah Winfrey’s connection with the Sussexes grew from a standard celebrity friendship into one of their most powerful public alliances. Oprah’s extensive career covering Princess Diana's life stories and the monarchy gave her a deep understanding of its global appeal. Her explosive 2021 interview with Harry and Markle provided the couple with an unprecedented platform to share their story, cementing it as one of the most significant broadcasts by any member of the royal family in modern history. Through it all, Oprah has remained a steady source of support for the pair, standing by them during their most challenging moments.

Long before Meghan joined the royal family, she shared a close friendship with Serena Williams, who would become one of her most unwavering defenders through the turbulence that followed. Williams attended Harry and Markle's wedding and has repeatedly used her platform to defend Markle against the harsh treatment of the media. The tennis champion's fierce and public loyalty to the Suits alum during her toughest moments cemented Serena as one of the Sussexes' most prominent allies.