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During an interview, Tyler Perry remained tight-lipped about the specifics of how he provided assistance to his friends Meghan Markle and Prince Harry when they made their highly publicized departure from the royal family in 2020.
The filmmaker, who had previously extended the use of his California mansion, private jet, and security team to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex when they fled Europe, chose not to divulge details during his conversation with the Sunday Times.
“It was a really difficult time for them… what I wish the world knew is how much these two love each other… And I just want to do anything I could to support them”
Tyler Perry said if he doesn’t have the love #HarryandMeghan have he doesn’t want it 😭💕 pic.twitter.com/QOsHPTSNl5
— magali 🐼 (@MagaliDMathias) September 21, 2022
When queried about how he prepared the royals for their relocation, Perry’s response was concise: “I didn’t. Meghan is from California. She knows California well. So there was nothing to prepare them for.”
According to the publication, any sense of openness dissipated when the writer of “Madea’s Family Reunion” was questioned about Markle, as he appeared disinclined to discuss their friendship.
“I will say this,” he added. “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.”
When the 55-year-old Perry was asked why people were so curious about Markle, 43, and Harry, 40, he retorted, “You’re from the UK, you tell me.”
The interviewer pointed out that headlines about the couple were also abundant in America, but the filmmaker seemed unconcerned.
“You would know better than I would because I’m not paying attention to that world,” Perry added, as the outlet noted, “It’s clearly time to cut. Next scene.”
In their December 2022 Netflix documentary, the “Suits” alum and Harry revealed they had never met Perry before moving into his $18 million Beverly Hills estate.
“I was just a wreck,” Markle shared about their move. “I was just crying and crying. Sometimes it’s easier to just open up to someone who knows nothing at all, and that was that moment with me and Tyler.”
The actress described their temporary living situation as “bliss because no one knew [they] were there.”
Perry also opened up about protecting Markle and Harry’s privacy during a November 2023 appearance on the “Let’s Talk Off Camera” podcast, admitting he kept up with daily media headlines to ensure paparazzi hadn’t figured out where they were hiding.
Tyler Perry on why he offered Prince Harry and Meghan Markle his home and security when they moved to the US:“They were giving her hell and a lot of it was because she was a Black woman.Flat out, no denying it. I wanted let her know there was someone there for her” [IG: realsway] pic.twitter.com/q4ZTCQ5TzD
— Dionne Grant (@DionneGrant) September 25, 2022
Markle and Harry resided in the mansion for four months before purchasing their $14 million estate in Montecito, California.
One way the duo expressed gratitude to the film mogul was by naming him the godfather to their 3-year-old daughter, Lilibet, whom they welcomed in 2021. The couple also has a 5-year-old son named Prince Archie.
Markle and Perry’s friendship remains strong, as evidenced by her attendance at the writer’s 2024 Paley Honors Fall Gala at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel on Wednesday.
