Yahoo News Bette Midler, Amanda Holden and Mary Berry react to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's news
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's decision to step back as senior royals, which they announced on Wednesday, has naturally attracted a lot of commentary and differing opinions.
Celebrities have been among those chiming in, as many have posted to social media to air their opinion on the couple's choice.
While many famous faces expressed messages of support for the Duke and Duchess and rejoiced in the announcement there were some who found their decision to be tinged with sadness, and others who just weren't happy with it at all.
Read more: Meghan's father Thomas Markle 'disappointed' over couple's decision to 'step back' from Royal Family
Bette Midler likened Markle’s experience with the media to that endured by Princess Diana as she shared: "What a sad story. They hounded and bullied her until it was no longer tenable to stay, just like Diana.
What a sad story. They hounded and bullied her until it was no longer tenable to stay, just like Diana. They'll never learn until it hits them in the wallet. I hope she bankrupts them all.
Prince Harry and Meghan to ‘Step Back’ From Royal Family https://t.co/SsNiyDQv2N— Bette Midler (@BetteMidler) January 8, 2020
“They'll never learn until it hits them in the wallet. I hope she bankrupts them all.”
Elsewhere, Mary Berry appeared on Lorraine today where host Lorraine Kelly grilled her on the latest news, however, the cook offered up a rather diplomatic response which expressed sympathy for the couple.
"It's very sad. They are just like you and me. They love each other and want to do everything they can for the country. I promise you,” she said.
Read more: 'Queen just as perplexed as everybody else' about Meghan and Harry's new role
While Lorraine Kelly herself didn't want to see the royals step down as she declared: "I just think it's a real shame because I think they were both so good at what they were doing and it's all just gone horribly wrong.
"But clearly they're very unhappy and miserable, which is a shame."
Amanda Holden took a more straightforward view of the situation, claiming she didn’t know why many were so surprised by the news.
"Honestly, I don’t really understand what all the fuss is about because before Christmas the Royal Family announced they were going to slim down the Royal Family, just use the main players, and I would imagine that Harry and Meghan don’t consider themselves main players so all they’re doing is stepping back, earning their own money and still going to represent us brilliantly abroad,” she said on her Heart Breakfast radio show.
.@AmandaHolden fully supports Harry and #Meghan’s decision to take a step back from the Royal Family and earn their own money.
What do you think about The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s plans to split their lives between the UK and America?
🎧Listen Live - https://t.co/eMuzMz9v3Y pic.twitter.com/cIDPipaGU0— Heart (@thisisheart) January 9, 2020
Her fellow Britain’s Got Talent judge David Walliams also had his say as he shared the couple’s engagement photo.
He captioned the snap: “The coolest couple.”
The coolest couple. pic.twitter.com/74ankplmuD
— David Walliams (@davidwalliams) January 9, 2020
One person who definitely wasn’t pleased was Piers Morgan who accused the Duchess of making Prince Harry “split” from his family.
"People say I'm too critical of Meghan Markle - but she ditched her family, ditched her Dad, ditched most of her old friends, split Harry from William & has now split him from the Royal Family. I rest my case," he tweeted.
Read more: Megxit: How newspapers reacted to Harry and Meghan stepping back from Royal Family
US actor Elizabeth Reaser, known for roles in The Twilight Saga, Mad Men and The Haunting of Hill House, was emphatic in her support for Markle as she exclaimed: "I f***ing LOVE #MeghanMarkle LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE BLOWN AWAY LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE.”
Pointless host Richard Osman shared a more understated sentiment as he simply tweeted: “I love Harry and Meghan.”
Amy Schumer took a comedic approach to the news by sharing a photograph of herself and husband Chris Fischer, and wrote: “Chris and I are formally stepping down from our royal duties. We appreciate your support.”
Meanwhile, author Jane Fallon shared mixed feelings on the matter, and suggested that the £2.4 million of private funds spent on renovations to Frogmore Cottage should be given back and donated to food banks.
“Re Harry & Meghan: am I the only person torn between 1) I couldn't care less 2) Good for them and 3) I assume they'll pay back the £2.4 million we paid to renovate their home now. That could stock a lot of food banks,” she opined.
The Duke and Duchess also revealed they would be “balancing” their time between the UK and North America in their announcement. Subsequently, this has led to speculation as to where they would be setting up a new home in the US or Canada. On top of that, they divulged they would now be financially independent from the Royal Family.
Markle’s already had a job offer from an executive producer of the Real Housewives franchise Andy Cohen, who jokingly commented on the couple’s Instagram post: “Open invite for The Duchess to join #RHOBH !!!”
