London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Tuesday, Jun 23, 2026

Idris Elba defends Meghan Markle and Prince Harry interview

Idris Elba defends Meghan Markle and Prince Harry interview

Idris Elba has shared his thoughts on Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s divisive interview with Oprah Winfrey and he’s standing in their corner.

The Luther actor is believed to be good friends with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex after attending the Royal wedding with his wife Sabrina Dhowre in 2018.

Meghan and Harry opened a can of worms when they sat down with Oprah earlier this month, detailing their time as working Royals while making claims of racist comments being made towards their son Archie within the family.

Weighing in on the couple’s decision to speak out, Idris told Entertainment Tonight: ‘I will say that everyone has to have their opportunity to speak up about what they feel, you cannot take someone’s voice away, that’s what we have to communicate.’

Several of Meghan’s celebrity pals have weighed in on the controversial interview, with her former Suits co-star DB Woodside urging the Royal family to apologise in the midst of backlash towards the Duchess.

The Lucifer actor said the whole fallout from the Oprah interview is ‘very upsetting’.

‘And just to be direct, it’s bulls**t,’ he added to ET while describing Meghan as ‘strong and resilient’.

Meghan and Harry’s interview with Oprah Winfrey receiving a varying response


Woodside continued: ‘It seems to me there are people who are setting her up to be the fall person. There’s people who are setting her up to blame her for something…

‘All I have to say is that she’s one of the most incredible human beings that I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with… I wish her nothing but the best. And I just hope people over in Britain, excuse my French, leave her the f**k alone.’

He then warned: ‘If they think that this kind of stuff is going to knock her off her game for very long, they picked the wrong woman to mess with.

‘She is the wrong woman to mess with. They need to back up, back off, apologise because she’s not the one.’

However, Wendell Pierce – who also starred in Suits – was more critical of the interview and said it shifted focus away from the coronavirus pandemic.

It was quite insensitive and offensive that we are all complicit in this sort of palace… gossip in the midst of so much death. I think it is insignificant,’ he said on LBC.

The actor later clarified his comments and said he wished Meghan ‘all the best’.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Taxpayer Support Grows for Higher Digital Levies on Multinational Tech Companies
Bank of England Signals Caution Over Inflation Despite Easing Energy Prices
Lloyds Banking Group Expands Artificial Intelligence Hiring Amid Sector-Wide Automation Shift
Film Producer Corporate Collapse Leaves Creditors Facing Unrecoverable Losses
UK Ten-Year Brexit Anniversary Highlights Ongoing Political and Economic Uncertainty
Nottingham Maternity Scandal Inquiry Reveals Systemic Failings in NHS Care
Met Office Heatwave Prompts Public Health Warnings Across United Kingdom
Concerns Rise Over Fiscal Stability as Political Uncertainty Weighs on UK Borrowing Costs
UK Taxpayers Back Higher Digital Taxes on Global Technology Firms, Survey Shows
Bank of England Holds Interest Rates Steady Amid Persistent Services Inflation
Reform UK and Opposition Leaders Call for General Election Following Starmer’s Departure
Ten Years After Brexit Referendum, UK Faces Ongoing Political Fragmentation and Economic Debate
Nottingham University Hospitals Maternity Inquiry Exposes Severe NHS Failures
Met Office Issues Heat Health Alerts as United Kingdom Faces Record-Breaking Temperatures
Andy Burnham Emerges as Front-Runner for Labour Leadership After Starmer’s Resignation
Keir Starmer Resigns as UK Enters New Phase of Political Leadership Transition
UK Expands Alcohol Ban Enforcement Using Tagging Technology Ahead of World Cup
UK Invests £50 Million in Critical Minerals Supply Chain Security
UK Appoints Special Envoy on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict
UK Introduces Fines for Landlords of Unsafe Rental Properties
Reform UK Leads Opinion Polls as Immigration Debate Reshapes UK Politics
Police Investigate Edinburgh Attacks as Potential Hate Crimes
King Charles to Publish Personal Tax and Royal Household Financial Records
Nottingham University Hospitals Maternity Inquiry Report Set for Publication
Heat-Health Alerts Issued Across London and Southern England Amid Rising Temperatures
UK Economy Shows Pressure From Middle East Conflict Despite Modest Growth
Brexit Anniversary Reignites Debate Over UK Economic and Political Direction
UK Parliament Continues Legislative Work Amid Leadership Transition
Financial Markets Hold Steady After UK Leadership Shake-Up
Andy Burnham Enters Labour Leadership Race With Strong Parliamentary Backing
Keir Starmer Resigns as UK Prime Minister After Two Years in Office
Reform UK MP Lee Anderson to Raise Pension Concerns Over British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme
UK Parliament to Debate Newborn Screening for Spinal Muscular Atrophy Following Public Petition
Met Office Warns of Water Safety Risks During Heatwave as Temperatures Peak in England
Treasury Increases Mileage Allowance Payments for 2026–27 Tax Year to 55 Pence Per Mile
UK Government Raises Electricity Generator Levy to 55 Percent in New Revenue Measure
House of Lords Moves Financial Services and Markets Bill to Committee Stage Amid Regulatory Scrutiny
Westminster Hall to Debate Petition on Pro-Israel Influence in UK Politics
UK Parliament Prepares for Estimates Days Debates as Backbench Business Schedule Approved
Armed Forces Bill Nears Final Stages in UK House of Commons With Military Justice Reforms
Donald Trump Comments on UK Political Situation, Citing Immigration and Energy Policy Concerns
Andy Burnham By-Election Victory Fuels Speculation Over Potential Labour Leadership Contest
UK Economy Shows Resilience but Faces Headwinds from Middle East Tensions, UK Finance Says
UK Parliament Opens Week of Debates on Net Zero, Security and Armed Forces Reform
Met Office Issues Amber Extreme Heat Warning as Temperatures Expected to Reach 35C Across England and Wales
Prime Minister Keir Starmer Faces Mounting Leadership Pressure After Makerfield By-Election Defeat
London Hotel Wins World’s Best Afternoon Tea Award at International Hospitality Guide La Liste
Court of Appeal Rules in Favour of Competition and Markets Authority in Phenytoin Drug Case
Chichester Waste Site Suspended After Environment Agency Finds Serious Fire and Pollution Risks
UK Appoints Chris Elmore as Special Envoy on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict
×