Oprah Winfrey talks about whether the Sussexes should go to the coronation

Oprah Winfrey was a guest on Wednesday’s episode of CBS This Morning, where her BFF Gayle King interviewed her about her latest book club pick, how Donald Trump can’t keep her name out of his mouth, and many other subjects. Gayle took a moment to ask Oprah about the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, and whether Oprah thinks the Sussexes should go to the coronation:

Oprah says: “I think they should do what they feel is best for them and their family. That’s what I think. That’s what the bottom line comes down to. What do you feel like is the right thing for you? They haven’t asked me my opinion.” I love that Gayle asked and Oprah answered! I do wonder what the conversations are like behind the scenes, just as I wonder if Harry has decided to go no matter what, simply because it is his father’s coronation and he feels it’s his duty.

Anyway, I wanted to bring up the fact that a network anchorwoman asked billionaire Oprah Winfrey about the Sussexes because the British media is still trying to make “the Sussexes are so unpopular in America” happen. The Daily Mirror even has a piece today about “six concerning signs that Harry and Meghan have damaged their reputation with Americans.” The British media doesn’t understand American culture, American celebrity or how we view British royalty whatsoever. The Mirror honestly claims that Americans have such strong feelings for QEII that we are completely rejecting the Sussexes. LMAO. Meanwhile, the Americans who actually follow royal gossip are like “Oprah needs to call Harry and Meghan and tell them to stay the f–k away from Salt Island forever!”

Photos courtesy of CBS, and CBS/Harpo.

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77 Responses to “Oprah Winfrey talks about whether the Sussexes should go to the coronation”

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  1. Flowerlake says:

    I hope they don’t go.

    They would only add interest and glamour to what seems to become a dull affair.

    The only winners would be the British Media and the Royal Family having opportunities to be petty to them

    • TheFarmer'sWife says:

      Isn’t having a big a$$ “crowning” embarrassing at this point? Brits are scrambling to make ends meet; there are enormous issues with homelessness, immigrants fleeing all sorts of life-altering situations, and Cam is publically appearing drunk and showing disrespect to Indigenous People who are still part of the commonwealth. The so-called royal family desperately needs the Sussexes to attend to distract from all that! In all honesty, chuckie doesn’t care if anyone watches him get his big wreath of stolen jewels placed on his head; he just wants that thing put on his head and to be a real king! Plus, none of the eggs will hit him as he passes by in his brand-new coach of gold. Perhaps, there’s been extra insulation put into it as well so he can’t hear “not my king?”

    • B says:

      Yep @Flowerlake & I think it’s very telling that entertainers are declining to perform, the Sussexes have a list of demands before they will attend but the aristos are pissed they haven’t been invited yet.

      The monarchy isn’t central to Britain’s identity. It’s essential to its asset rich/cash poor ruling class. Anyone successful & unrelated has no interest. I doubt it but I hope Meghan & Harry stay away.

    • Geegee says:

      Don’t go! It’s a trap!

  2. ThatsNotOkay says:

    Just the right blend of diplomatic and noncommittal. Seriously, how could going to a coronation be what’s right for anyone’s family? It’s not like it would mend a single slat of a fence with Charles, William, Camilla, or Kate. So, what’s the point?

    • Kingston says:

      “Seriously, how could going to a coronation be what’s right for anyone’s family?”

      This is not a serious question in response to the blurb, right? Jeebus.

      Okay, here goes: for what its worth, chucky is head of the oldest monarchy in existence at the moment, and, along with his family, including the Sussexes, they are in one of the most exclusive of the exclusive bubbles in the world.

      Therefore, theirs is not just “anyone’s family.” It is the height of naivety and ignorance for anyone of us reading this, and anyone else of the more than 7.89 billion people in the world, to equate our family with chucky’s in the attempt to try to understand what motivates them.

      H&M will have considerations to factor into their decision, that neither you nor I nor at least 7.5 of the 7.89 billion people in the word have to consider.

      • Guesty83 says:

        I get what you’re saying here, but Oprah is talking about them on a *personal* level. I think she’s saying she doesn’t want them to get hurt or slighted over and over again on international television.

        Your answer seems to buy into the assumption the Royals and the Rota make: that H&M can’t be successful in the US without constantly emphasizing their Royal connections. But, as time goes on and they develop their own lives and careers, I think the Royal connection becomes less important, not mroe. Americans know OF them (particularly Harry) because he was a Prince and Diana’s son, but we don’t like them only BECAUSE of that.

        And finally, there’s the flipside of your argument; why should H&M show up and agree to be used as props before 7-8 billion people worldwide when you *know* Charles is just going to make excuses to snub them and William will likely ignore them entirely. And that doesn’t even get into the IDEA of their kids being used as props.

        If Harry alone or the family as an entity opt to go, it will just be about their continued, and likely misguided, wish to heal things with Harry’s family (and only his family, not all the Royalists in the UK/the world). And while I understand wanting to keep your family in your life and mend those fences, at some point they do have to ask themselves, when is enouhg, enough? Especially since all of these visits are followed by months of tearing apart every single thing either of them (but especially Meghan) does, even who got in a car first and whose outfit was better and on and on and on.

  3. Brassy Rebel says:

    The British media that thinks we hate the Sussexes because we loved QEII so much has apparently never heard of the whole revolution we had to get rid of the monarchy. Has me wondering just how they teach about the American Revolution in British schools. Some unpleasantness between friends two hundred fifty years ago I guess.

    • Zapp Brannigan says:

      Irish person here, and was once chatting to a lady from Manchester who summed up the history between our two countries as North Ireland and South Ireland were at war and the British troops went into the country as a peace keeping force. British education may just skip over certain centuries, because of reasons.

      • slippers4life says:

        Wow! This is what they learn? Sure they’re not the only country to try and cover up their own atrocities by lying in school history boons, but the AUDACITY of calling what they did in Ireland a “peace keeping mission!” I can’t even.

      • Brassy Rebel says:

        Sounds like a British Ron DeSantis is in charge of curriculum over there.

      • Zapp Brannigan says:

        To be fair i don’t know if this is what is taught in British schools or just what this person thought happened, but my experience is that there was very little knowledge of any world history that was not flattering to the British.

        I was very surprised by this woman as Manchester would have a large Irish population too.

      • CallyForbes says:

        There is so much history that schools have to pick and choose what can be taught. Years ago we did the Tudors onwards ending before the First World War. Nowadays I think they do more modern history. What you say that the Manchester woman said to you does sound like the modern history of Northern Ireland 1960s onwards which possibly if she was of a certain age she got from the News. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Banner Whether the British Army was considered to be a peacekeeping force or not probably depended on which side you were on; there was not much peace anyway. I’m not how much of any history lesson any pupil remembers after leaving school. Most of my history I got from historical novels.

      • Feebee says:

        Whatever they teach, the wrong thing has been reinforced via media through the years. Growing up in NZ we took the NI Troubles news from the BBC so we got the English version of things. But you know it was the “impartial” BBC. So I get to Ireland in 1991 and see Irish news and let me just say it was a very different viewpoint on what was going on.

      • sammi says:

        Not surprised with the ignorance of most people in Uk concerning History of the British Empire. I did my thesis years ago on the child from a mixed race marriage looking at a sample of Mothers’ ratings of the child on a number of characteristics. It was only a small sample but the results were interesting and did relate to personal experience from this group. One of the main trends was that colour influenced the negative opinions and ratings of the child. I highlighted that the Royal Family’s progeny is mixed race in many cases but it seems that they were not seen as mixed race! Until now perhaps with Meghan’s experience at the hands of the Media and Royal blood line.?

    • Snuffles says:

      Excellent question. My guess is that they gloss over a lot and skip the bits that don’t paint them as glorious.

      What the British media is failing to grasp is that, unlike the royals, it is not even remotely necessary to appeal to the majority of US citizens to be able to carve out a very successful, highly profitable career over here. You can be niche and become extremely rich.

      They’re also failing to grasp the enormous diversity over here and diversity of tastes and opinions in the US as well. We are not a monolith, CLEARLY.

      • TheWigletOfWails says:

        Harry and Meghan are private citizens. They pay their taxes and mind their business just like the rest of us. Their everyday lives and decisions don’t affect anyone but them and their family. The BaRF might be above celebrities in Britain but they’re no different from the Kardashians here (and the Kardashians are very successful).

      • Mary Pester says:

        @snuffles both my husband and I served in Northern Ireland with the British army. I have mixed memories of my time there, some good, some not so good, but I will never forget some of the scones and sandwiches made for us whilst on patrol in the Irish countryside. They gloss over it in schools because they don’t like to tell the truth about why we were sent and what happened over there. Now we have had troops who served over there being taken to court for following orders and it paints ALL the successive governments in a bad light, THAT’S why schools are never taught about it, because if they taught the bloody truth no one would ever enlist again

  4. Isabella says:

    So Oprah didn’t answer the question.

    • Ameerah M says:

      That IS an answer. It’s certainly where I stand as well. I don’t have skin in the game on this – what they decide to do is what will be best for THEM. People seem to forget that these are actual human beings making life decisions.

      • Polo says:

        Yes I hope they do what’s best for them and their mental well being. Only they have the full picture to know that. We all just get a small window into their lives.
        I would not want to be in their position at all because either way they’ll get hate, ridicule and scrutiny.
        I just want this whole coronation thing to be over.
        But o realize after the coronation we’ll move to Christmas. There will always be a reason for them to try and drag H&M back. Sigh

      • Kingston says:

        Actually, right after the CONanation will be Trooping the Color (LOL). HOWEVER, with the announcement that Harry’s court case with the shidtrags begins May 9 and will last 7 weeks, it should all be very interesting.

    • lucy2 says:

      She didn’t, but it’s the right non-answer. Only H&M know what they feel is right.

      • Nerd says:

        Answers to questions aren’t always black and white or yes or no. She spoke honestly how she feels and it was the right answer that was directed towards her. Just because she didn’t give you a definitive answer that meets whatever expectations you might have, doesn’t mean she didn’t answer the question. If you ask a person what their favorite color is and their response or answer to that question is that they don’t really have one specific favorite color aren’t they still answering the question only not within whatever parameters you expect them to answer in? Is she supposed to lie to meet the expectations of those who need an answer from her for whatever strange reason? Or should she do as she did and answer honestly that more importantly she cares that they choose what is best for them?

  5. Jais says:

    American here and I don’t love QE2 so much. Jeez.

    • I’m also American and never cared for QEII or the monarchy.

    • Josephine says:

      exactly. why would we? she protected a predator and prolonged a racist, unfair institution that is designed to take money from the poor for the useless monarchs.

    • Cara says:

      The British press believes Americans (and all humans) should worship and adore the monarchy just as they do. They cannot conceive of anyone doing otherwise and thus are nostalgic for the days when opponents could be murdered in some sadistic manner. It’s massive arrogance really. Americans are not sycophants by nature and the monarchy we once fought to be rid of rubs us wrong. The British press works to brainwash their citizens. It’s like a cult.

    • Emily_C says:

      American here too, and I have never known anyone who “loved” Betty. Or cared about her much. There was maybe a slight vague fondness, but that sure didn’t stop us from laughing over all the Irish memes about her death. Or bringing up how she treated Diana, whom all the Americans I knew who gave the BRF half a thought (not many) adored.

      We kicked them out centuries ago. They still haven’t gotten over it.

  6. UnstrungPearl says:

    Personally I wouldn’t go, but like Oprah said, they haven’t asked for my opinion!
    I think it’s very possible they will go, and if they do its bc they feel its the right decision for them. We don’t know what’s going on behind the scenes, but there’s no way they would go without serious negotiations and concessions from the RF. Charles needs them, not the other way round.
    Would genuinely love it if they stayed at home though. Don’t promote the coronation with their presence even if it is his dad! I’m an anti monarchist though, not sure Harry is there yet…

  7. hangonamin says:

    i have a feeling Harry will go but not Meghan or the kids. bc Harry will leave that door open with his family. before the whole Frogmore thing maybe they could have all gone, but now why would they all go now? security nightmare, narrative is on their side that Charles is petty and got rid of their lease, and it would be to support ppl that no longer support them financially or otherwise.

    • Bee says:

      Can’t imagine Harry going without Meghan. But the kids is a whole other question. They’re so young, and surely having them sit through the lengthy and dull ceremony isn’t a great idea. But realistically, could they leave them anywhere in the UK for that long? Maybe Doria could come? After the heater incident in SA I wouldn’t leave them with only royal “protection” for five minutes, much less three hours or however long this crownshow is going to be.

      I do think Harry probably feels like he has to. It’s all so unfortunate. They bend over backwards for these people who do nothing to reciprocate. The silver lining is that we all know whose photos everyone wants to see.

  8. BayTampaBay says:

    The Sussexes should not go to the Con-A-Nation. They should stay home.

    There will be booing and protests. The Windsor-Glücksburg will say all the booing protests was towards the Sussexes not KCIII, Camilla, Wiggington and Peggington. The British media, lead by the Daily Fail, will loudly chime-in behind them. The Sussexes need to say at home so there is no doubt who the protesters are protesting or the booers are booing.

    • Bee says:

      They’re saying Boo-urns! And the eggs are donations.

    • Nerd says:

      They are already being booed and the Sussexes aren’t even in the country. They will say whatever they can to write articles about the Sussexes, but no matter what happens the precedent is that people already aren’t happy with the RF, whether Harry and Meghan are there or not.

      • BayTampaBay says:

        Which is exactly why I would advise the Sussexes to stay home in California or vacation in Iceland during the week of the Clowning and Con-A-Nation.

  9. Eurydice says:

    I don’t know what H&M are thinking, but my thinking would be this – so far, I’ve only gotten an email about the coronation (it could be “save the date” or it could be something else). And so far, the tabloid leaks have been about how the palace planners are putting me in “Iceland” and how the RF will snub me, my wife and children. Also, the security question hasn’t been answered and my father has repossessed my home. None of this spells “welcome” so why attend?

    • equality says:

      A poster on another thread had the right idea. H&M should vacation in Iceland during the coronation since that’s where they want them.

      • Feeshalori says:

        Yep, rent one of those glamorous ice huts and watch the northern lights with their family. Stay far away from a place where people want to use them but not welcome them.

      • notasugarhere says:

        Didn’t they do that once early in their relationship? An airport employee tweeted their arrival then the post was swiftly deleted.

        Other than me wanting Archie to have a birthday surrounded by his young friends and people who love him, I support the idea of a holiday in Iceland. Followed by an appearance by Harry in London several days later for his lawsuit.

        Freeshalori, if I could afford said holiday, I’d pick a glam hut at Torfhus Retreat. You?

      • Becks1 says:

        @Nota yes but I think that was Norway. Either way, I’d take a nice getaway like that any time of the year, lol.

      • Feeshalori says:

        Nota, l googled Torfus Retreat and what a beautiful place to be. I would definitely love a getaway like that. My niece and her husband went to Reykjavik and spent a few days in one of those ice huts and viewed the northern lights. They loved that country.

  10. Still In My Robe says:

    Go to England, but not to the coronation. Host/fund one of the street picnics in conjunction with one of their charities. Send everyone who attends home with a basket of food for their pantries. Work at a community garden for a day yanking weeds and watering seedlings. Take groups of young people in their local green spaces and teach them how to do forest bathing to refresh themselves mentally. Do endless good works (with the barest hint of petty) for each day the royals are showering themselves in gold, jewels, and accolades.

    Celebrate the country and its people, not its feckless ruler.

    • Reborn Rich says:

      This is EXACTLY what I think too. Unfortunately, those acts will be met with family rage. They just can’t win with those people.

      What about sending a million to split between four charities to “amplify” C’s message of good works? This way they “spare” themselves from England / family. Then let the BM attack them for being generous.

  11. Becks1 says:

    Americans may have liked the Queen, but we definitely don’t have the same loyalty to her or the monarchy that some Brits do. If anything, H&M have received the most criticism in the past few months over NOT being anti-monarchy and NOT trying to burn it all down. (I’m not saying there was a lot of criticism about that, just that there was more about that than about “omg they’re disrespecting the queen!”)

    You know who Americans do like? Oprah. We read the books she tells us to read, we wear the slippers she tells us to wear, we drink the tea she tells us to drink. I don’t think the british press understands how…..powerful, I guess…Oprah’s friendship with the Sussexes is in terms of their public appeal in the US. If Oprah likes them, then a LOT of Americans are going to like them, before we even get to the Sussexes as individuals.

  12. matthew says:

    didn’t we kick those idiots to the curb like 300 years ago

    • BayTampaBay says:

      We did but the idiots keep popping back up like frizzy hair on a very humid day.

  13. MrsCope says:

    I really wish more people would answer like this. Just because you are asked *cough* Judge Judy, *cough* Brian Cox, doesn’t mean you have to weigh in on something you absolutely have no insight into! I go back and forth on whether I think they should go and whether I think they will go.

  14. Anita says:

    Totally off topic, but I love Oprah’s glasses – they look fantastic on her and she looks fantastic too.
    I also loved the rose coloured glasses she wore during Harry and Meghan’s interview.
    Wonder where she gets them.

  15. Mabs A'Mabbin says:

    There hasn’t been one defining positive piece about H and M from that island. Why in all the universes would it be a good thing for them to go to this monkey circus? Frak THAT.

  16. Amy Bee says:

    I don’t think they should go to the coronation and I hope they don’t.

    • TheWigletOfWails says:

      I can’t speak for them but breakfast shows discussing Archie and Lili and allowing unhinged callers say hurtful things would have been the final straw for me. No way you’re stoking hate against my innocent children and expecting me to come to your stupid party.

      • Amy Bee says:

        I think they have ample reasons not to go but Harry still believes that his family can change so we’re probably going to see him go with Meghan at his side for support.

  17. QuiteContrary says:

    My husband, who’s English, says they called the American Revolution the “War of American Independence” when he was in school, because British folks are uncomfortable with the word “revolution.” Which explains a lot.

    And yes, he says they got a completely skewed view of the fight for Irish independence.

    As for Oprah, I loved that Gayle asked the question because it reminded people that she is a friend of the Sussexes. Her answer was pitch-perfect.

  18. TeamMeg says:

    Speaking of the Oprah interview, did anyone else catch what Chris Rock had to say about it in his Netflix special “Selective Outrage”? I just watched it last night. Thoughts? Maybe this deserves a post. (If there was one, I missed it.) Rock also talked about “the slap” of course.

  19. Escape says:

    I hope they go despite all the family strife. You can’t un-do not going in the future. I think harry and Meghan both have tough skins and can let the bitter opinions of some people just slide off their backs.

    • TheWigletOfWails says:

      What would be the point of going? It would be a losing situation for them. Archie’s birthday would be erased and it would prove that they’re/could be controlled by the BaRF.

      • Princessk says:

        Archie’s 4th birthday will not be erased, it will be enhanced.
        On the day of the Coronation the whole world will be wishing Archieappy Birthday! Lol!

    • Kingston says:

      While I’m on the side of: “I hope they dont go,” for a hot minute I thought like you….that its for posterity/historical significance so they prolly should go.

      But then I gave my head a wobble (as H would say) and think: who remembers betty’s crowning? Literally only a handful of folks who are alive right now. But even if we consider the historical significance of the crowning of a monarch, we have to weigh that against the diminishment of monarchy in today’s world and, at the same time, the unprecedented high value being placed on our mental health that this era is so loudly and proudly insisting on, equally with our physical health.

      Harry is a global leader in the mental health space so it is my sincere hope that he will be guided by the importance and significance of THAT responsibility and make the right decision NOT to attend…….i:e NOT to “go where…………[he and his family] have been so loudly told, with no opposing voices from the place that matters, his relatives in britain]………youre not wanted.”

  20. MsIam says:

    Yes, Harry and Meghan are so unpopular in America and that’s why everywhere they go people are booing and throwing eggs! Oh wait…. Anyway, I’m on Team Stay Home. The media has made the atmosphere so toxic and the Unroyals are unreasonable. They are the type of people who will tell everyone how much they don’t want you to come to the party and then be mad as heck if you don’t show up.

  21. EliseM says:

    She is correct that “they” need to do what is right for them as individuals who are married. What is right for Harry may not be right for Meghan. We are all aware how Meghan gets the brunt of the vitriol they (BP) spew. So, as long as they understand each other’s point of view, and support each other, I call that a good day.

  22. jgerber says:

    Love Oprah. And Camilla thinks SHE’s the Queen? No, hon. It ain’t you.

  23. RoyalBlue says:

    Harry and Meghan have better things to do than to fuss themselves over attending that boreanation. They have a birthday party to plan. Harry has no official role, so if he really wants to peep and watch it, I am sure he can catch it on the tele.

  24. Ann says:

    I hope they don’t go and I’m not going to watch it.

    • RoyalBlue says:

      I’m not watching it either, but I will catch the pictures online.

    • Emily_C says:

      It’s going to be deathly boring. When’s it even going to be? These things always end up being at an abominable hour of the morning in America. I got up super early to watch Diana get married when I was a kid (like it was Saturday morning cartoons) and I don’t regret it, and I got up super early to watch some of Betty’s funeral to see Harry and Meghan — that, I kinda regret. It was dull, and I could have watched clips.

      Even if it’s at an hour I’m normally up, I’d rather watch just about anything else, because they are so boring.

  25. Over it says:

    If it were me, I would be like F it. We are having an Archie comic birthday themed pool party. Con-a-nation be dammed. That’s what’s right for my family because according to chucky Meghan wasn’t family enough or at all to be welcomed at balmoral when Betty died. And since she is my wife and the mother of my children. She is therefore my family so I will be staying home with her and my children and celebrating our son birthday and I don’t give a f what anyone on Salt island thinks about that.

  26. Mrs.Krabapple says:

    Personally, I don’t think they should go. I support any efforts they may make in trying to patch up their personal relationship with Harry’s family, but imho, a public coronation is not the venue for that. Instead of inviting the Sussexes to bring publicity to his coronation, Charles should be inviting them to spend some personal, private time, with him as a family.

  27. Saucy&Sassy says:

    This is a Firm event, so I don’t quite see why it’s necessary for H&M be physically present at the Clowning. Harry has to be in the UK for the trial, so why don’t they all go over and be in the country for the Clowning. They can have Prince Archie’s birthday party there just like they had on for Princess Lilibet last year.

    That’s a little like splitting the baby (horrible), but no one can say Harry didn’t show up for KFC’s Clowning. Harry has made it clear he wants a relationship with his family members and not the Firm.

    • RoyalBlue says:

      Wait a minute, did someone phone the court admin, pulled some strings and got them to schedule this trial for right after the clowning? The extent that these folks will go to get Harry to show up at the boranation!

  28. HarryforLife says:

    The unhinged comments under that video are just🤦🏽‍♀️… Here’s hoping Oprah calls them and gives her honest opinion which is “RUN!”

  29. Nerd says:

    I appreciated how Oprah was classy enough to express how the only people who’s opinions and safety matter in this case are Harry and Meghan’s. That their decision should never be based on the opinions or feelings of anyone other than their own. The only thing that matters to me regarding this is how this emphasizes how little the UK media know about the Sussexes and who they are friends with. Oprah’s answer is just confirmation that their friendship isn’t affected by the media and is still going strong. Oprah cares more about their wellbeing than the opinions of racist idiots.

  30. one of the marys says:

    I don’t think the royal family has earned the presence of the Sussexes at the coronation. If Harry and Meghan do go I will assume there’s enough going on behind the scenes to make it worth their while. But it will be quite a shock to Charles and the media if Harry doesn’t go. Just like them leaving was a huge shock

  31. Izzy says:

    What I hear is “f*** no, they shouldn’t go anywhere near Shambolic Chubbly,” but Oprah gave a very diplomatic answer.

  32. Emily_C says:

    If they go, or even only Harry, I will be worried for their safety until they’re out of there.

  33. sammi says:

    Amazing to hear this but not surprising. Wish I could get an irish passport and out of this dumb/ignorant/elite ruled country. My roots have Irish connections generations back as so many fled the country to far flung areas and my parents had more discrimination in India as Anglo-Indian pawns of the Raj. They came back to UK ‘the mother land’ only for the children to face racism in the school and work system . My thesis was on the child from a mixed race marriage and one of my findings was that the evidence showed that it was colour mainly that influenced the negative findings from participants on their ratings of the child. I commented that the Royal Family was mixed race with many nationalities in its progeny but that did not seem to be seen as negative on any traits.
    Still my parents were so indoctrinated that they would not say a word againgst the wonderful British! That is what abuse does to mental health and generational discord.
    Computer shut down whilst writing the above and I posted another reply but sending this too!