Prince Harry is facing online trolling after referring to Oprah Winfrey as one of his “fairy godmothers” during a recent book event in Beverly Hills. The comment, made during a visit to the Godmothers bookstore in Summerland with Meghan Markle, sparked reactions, particularly given his strained relationship with the royal family.
The event, held on September 6, saw Harry and Meghan mingling with notable guests, including literary agent Jennifer Rudolph Walsh and cosmetics icon Victoria Jackson. The star-studded evening also featured appearances by celebrities like Ellen DeGeneres and Jane Lynch, along with performances by Chappell Roan and Carole King.
Arriving in a dark Range Rover, the couple was warmly greeted by fellow guests. Meghan, dressed in a chic Ralph Lauren top and white trousers, excitedly cheered “Woo!” after speeches from Jennifer and Victoria. The event celebrated the bookstore, which aims to be a safe and welcoming space, something Victoria expressed joy over: “It’s everything we hoped it would be.”
Photos from the night show the couple embracing Oprah, who famously interviewed them for their explosive 2021 broadcast, and posing with the bookstore’s founders. When asked for book recommendations, Harry humorously pointed to a copy of his memoir Spare, which, along with Meghan’s children’s book The Bench, is prominently displayed at the store, as per DailyMail.
Harry, who played a role in naming the bookstore, has previously credited Oprah, Victoria, and Jennifer as his “fairy godmothers.” While the event was a success, with Meghan expressing gratitude for the supportive space, she had to leave early to make dinner for her children.
Despite the lighthearted nature of the event, Harry’s comment about Oprah sparked criticism online. Social media users were quick to mock his “fairy godmother” remark. One user commented, “She’s his ‘fairy godmother’ eh! Is that why he told her all those fairy tales?” Another wrote, “He has a fairy godmother and a wicked queen in his pantomime life.”
Some users criticized the couple’s relationship, with one person claiming, “He needs to invent the fairy godmother because he and his wife have driven away their families.” Others labeled Oprah as one of Harry’s “enablers,” while another added, “That’s because he’s away with the fairies.”
The online backlash highlights the ongoing scrutiny Harry and Meghan face, with some users even suggesting the couple’s actions are desperate for attention, despite their call for privacy.