Tyler Perry, a close friend of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, has spoken out against persistent rumors regarding the state of their marriage, labeling their relationship as one of mutual love and deep connection. The comments came during Perry's appearance at the Paley Honors Fall Gala in California, where Meghan also attended to support him.
"They love each other. They have a beautiful family, and I just want the best for them," Perry told E! News on the red carpet. He continued, "It's a real, pure, and beautiful friendship. I love them." Perry's remarks were seen as a direct response to ongoing speculation about tension between the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who have recently attended separate public events, fueling divorce rumors.
On the same day Perry made his comments, Prince Harry was in New York participating in The New York Times DealBook Summit. During his on-stage interview with Andrew Sorkin, Harry laughed off the swirling allegations about his marriage. "Apparently, we've bought or moved house maybe 10, 12 times. We've apparently divorced maybe 10, 12 times as well," he joked. "It's hard to keep up, but that's why you just sort of ignore it."
Harry went on to express his disdain for online speculation, adding, "I genuinely feel sorry for the trolls whose hopes are built and built, and it doesn't happen." His remarks were aimed at dispelling narratives about discord between him and Meghan, which have increasingly circulated on social media.
Perry's friendship with the couple dates back to their initial move to the United States in 2020. At the time, he offered them one of his California homes as a place to stay while they settled into their new lives. He also provided his private jet and security team to assist in their transition. Perry later became godfather to their daughter, Princess Lilibet.
Despite his close bond with the couple, Perry appeared guarded when discussing them in an interview with The Sunday Times. Asked about his role in helping Harry and Meghan adapt to life in the U.S., he remarked, "Meghan is from California. She knows California well. So there was nothing to prepare them for."
Perry 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." His cautious tone highlighted the challenges of being associated with one of the most scrutinized couples in the world.
When pressed on why there is such an intense public interest in the Sussexes, Perry deflected, telling the interviewer, "You're from the UK, you tell me." He maintained that he does not pay attention to media speculation about the couple, signaling his desire to protect their privacy.
The speculation about Harry and Meghan's marriage has grown louder in recent months as the two focus on individual projects. While Harry has continued his philanthropic work through the Invictus Games and his mental health initiatives, Meghan has been more visible at events like the Paley Honors Gala.
The couple's close friendship with Perry was prominently featured in their Netflix documentary series released in 2022. In one scene, Meghan became emotional while discussing Perry's kindness during their early days in the U.S., confessing that she burst into tears upon receiving his support.
