Oprah Winfrey has distanced herself from Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, as the couple's A-list friends continue to desert them, sources reveal. Despite the 72-year-old media mogul initially lauding the royal couple after their explosive 2021 interview, her close links with the Sussexes have relaxed dramatically over the past 18 months.

Winfrey's retreat marks a significant shift in Hollywood's attitude toward Meghan and Harry. The couple, who stepped down as senior royals in 2020 and moved to California, once enjoyed a privileged orbit of celebrity connections. Now, one by one, those connections are fading, leaving the Sussexes increasingly isolated in an industry that once embraced them.

A Slow Fade

According to Paula Froelich, a journalist with extensive sources in royal and entertainment circles, Oprah has been 'long-arming' the Sussexes for some time. “The truth is, Oprah has been long-arming the Sussexes for some time. She can't let them drift too far away because if something happens, one of the three big Ds, divorce, death, or drama, she will want the interview,” Froelich explained to insiders.

The phrase “long-arming” suggests a deliberate but gradual withdrawal—keeping the couple at arm's length while maintaining a thread of connection. This strategic distance allows Oprah to avoid being too closely associated with the Sussexes while keeping the door open for any future exclusive interviews that could deliver massive ratings. It is a calculated move that reflects a broader Hollywood trend.

The Reputational Toll

Froelich believes a long-term alignment with “Brand Sussex” carries significant reputational risk, which is why so many showbiz allies are bowing out. “No one wants to hang out with Meghan,” Froelich said, citing multiple reasons. “Lots of reasons, but she might sell clothes while using their name,” she added, referring to Meghan's latest business venture where she promotes her outfits through a fashion app that gives her a 10 percent cut of the sales generated. “Can you imagine? 'What to wear to visit Oprah,'” Froelich quipped.

This commercial approach has alienated former friends who feel used for promotional purposes. The perception that Meghan leverages social connections for her business interests has grown stronger as she continues to launch ventures like her lifestyle brand As Ever and her fashion app. For high-profile celebrities who value discretion and genuine friendship, this transactional behavior is a turnoff.

Winfrey herself was tarnished by her 2021 interview with Meghan and Harry, according to critics. Many felt the interview was overly soft—that Oprah failed to push back on dubious claims and allowed the couple to tell their story without adequate scrutiny. “Oprah was tarnished by her association with them. The interview she did in 2021 was so soft, and she didn't push back on anything said, so she was seen as a sycophant rather than a great interviewer,” Froelich noted. That criticism may have stung for a woman who built her career on hard-hitting journalism.

A Pattern of Alienation

The sudden departures of celebrity pals have registered with the Sussexes, but they don't believe any fallout is their fault. A source close to the couple said, “They don't get it. They never think it is them. They love famous people – they are very name-droppy. The association gives them a kick. But if someone stops calling, they don't ask why.”

This lack of self-reflection has been a recurring theme since Harry and Meghan moved to the United States. Despite a multi-million-dollar Netflix deal, podcast partnerships, and book deals, their ability to maintain long-term friendships with A-list figures has steadily eroded. Harry, once one of the most popular royals, now finds himself in a strange limbo—too famous for a normal life, yet too controversial for many Hollywood circles.

Insiders have revealed that fashion icon Anna Wintour, billionaire fiancée Lauren Sánchez, and the Kardashian family are among those who are no longer on speaking terms with Meghan. The Duchess has managed to upset them all through a combination of snubs and perceived slights. For instance, Meghan reportedly snubbed Lauren Sánchez before her “wedding of the century” to Jeff Bezos last June. An insider said, “She snubbed Lauren before the (Bezos) wedding. Meghan was invited to things by Lauren and didn't want to go. She didn't want to be seen with her because she thought she was trashy.”

The same source added that Meghan's “spiraling” has become a topic of concern among those still in her orbit. “They have truly lost the plot. I hear she's spiraling badly because she knows nothing is working. The whole thing about her (As Ever) stuff selling out isn't true anymore. I don't think either of them is happy.”

The Cost of Celebrity

Maintaining the Sussex lifestyle is expensive. Estimates suggest their annual costs in the United States reach $5 million, covering security, staff, property upkeep, and their Montecito estate. Without steady income from royalty duties, the couple relies on commercial deals and Harry's inheritance. But as Hollywood doors close, those revenue streams face uncertainty.

Netflix has not renewed their deal beyond the initial projects, and Spotify ended their podcast partnership after one season. Meghan's As Ever brand, initially touted as a success, has reportedly seen declining sales. The couple's repeated attempts to rebrand themselves as philanthropic entrepreneurs have not caught fire with the public.

The irony is that Harry and Meghan once had the world at their feet. They left the British monarchy to pursue financial independence and privacy—but instead they have become entangled in a web of celebrity culture that is notoriously fickle. Hollywood loves a fresh face, but it also loves loyalty and authenticity. The Sussexes are increasingly seen as neither.

Historical Context

This isn't the first time a royal figure has been embraced and then discarded by Hollywood. Princess Diana enjoyed a brief but intense relationship with the entertainment elite in the 1990s, but she also faced scrutiny and eventual distance from some circles. The difference is that Diana had an innate charm and a genuine connection with people that the Sussexes seem to lack.

Harry, who once charmed the world with his playful antics and military service, has become more reclusive and defensive since his marriage. His memoir “Spare” (2023) detailed family rifts and personal grievances, cementing his image as a perpetually aggrieved figure. Meghan, despite her acting background, has struggled to translate her onscreen appeal into real-world likability. Her interviews, speeches, and business moves often come across as calculated rather than authentic.

Oprah's withdrawal is perhaps the most symbolic. She was the one who gave Meghan and Harry a platform to tell their side of the story after leaving the monarchy. That interview was watched by 17 million people in the US alone. It dramatically shifted public opinion and gave the couple a powerful ally. But now, even Oprah is pulling back. It suggests that the Sussexes' approach has worn thin, not just with the public but with the very celebrities they courted.

The couple's love of name-dropping—mentioning everyone from Beyoncé to Tyler Perry—has backfired. Rather than elevating them, it signals desperation. In Hollywood, true power players don't need to advertise their connections. They simply have them. By constantly referencing their famous friends, Meghan and Harry have revealed their own insecurity.

An insider summed it up bluntly: “They don't get it. They never think it is them.” Until they do, the list of A-list stars distancing themselves is likely to grow, with Oprah just the latest—and most significant—name on it.

Source: AOL.com News