The Duke and Duchess of Sussex stayed at the director’s home in Beverly Hills as they transitioned out of their roles as senior royals in 2020. Tyler Perry became a friend to Meghan Markle.
The Duchess of Sussex, 41, revealed that she had never met the actor and filmmaker, 52, before staying at his Los Angeles estate with her family as they transitioned out of their senior royal roles in 2020. Meghan, Prince Harry, and their son Archie Harrison, now 3, spent a few months in Perry’s Beverly Hills mansion before buying a house in Montecito.
Meghan was featured on the cover of The Cut‘s fall fashion issue on Monday. She told the magazine that when she married Harry in 2019, the Madea director called to tell her that he was praying for her “and that he understood what this meant, and that he could only imagine what it was like.” Perry also said he’d always be available for support or advice, according to People reports.
Meghan accepted Perry’s invitation two years later and told him about her family’s stay in Vancouver, Canada, amid an uncertain future as they stepped back from royal life.
“Sometimes, you can tell your life story to a stranger on a plane as opposed to some of the people that are closest to you,” she told The Cut.
During their stay, Perry also provided a security detail. The couple cited a lack of security for their son Archie as a major concern in their March 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey.
Meghan and Prince Harry, 37, purchased a home in Montecito, Santa Barbara County, in August 2020, after using the director’s estate to get a fresh start in the United States. The couple allegedly spent $14 million on a nine-bedroom mansion, where they’ve lived with Archie and their daughter Lilibet Diana, who was born in June 2021.
Perry even gave them a grand piano as a housewarming gift, telling them to “write the soundtrack for your life.”
As they put down roots at their “permanent home,” a source told PEOPLE that Harry and Meghan were incredibly appreciative of Perry’s compassion.
“They’re really grateful to Tyler Perry for his kindness,” the insider said in summer 2020. “They have endless gratitude to him for helping them during a complicated time.”
“With COVID and as they were stepping back from their royal duties, he provided them a safe haven,” they added.
Perry also wished a happy birthday to “Princess Meghan” earlier this month with a sweet Instagram post.
“I’ve had a front-row seat in your life for the past few years. I’ve watched you endure things that would have broken a lot of people,” he wrote. “I’m so incredibly proud to see how happy you, your husband, and your kids are now.”
