AMANDA GOFF: Tyler Perry just confirmed my worst fears for the Royal Family. With two blunt words, Meghan and Harry’s Hollywood benefactor reveals what’s really going on behind closed doors in Montecito…

When I saw that an interview with American filmmaker Tyler Perry, published by the Times of London, was causing a stir online, my first thought was…

“Who the hell is Tyler Perry?”

Well, it turns out he’s pretty well known as a purveyor of lowbrow comedies that are rarely released outside the United States. He writes, directs and even stars in it. He is apparently known for playing a grandmother named Madea.

He is also known for being the original benefactor of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle when they fled the royal family and settled in California in 2020.

Yes, before they settled into their Montecito mansion, Perry swooped in and let them stay in his own palatial $18 million Beverly Hills home until they found their feet.

And now, almost five years after the Sussexes were rescued from homelessness, it looks like Perry is still sending favors their way.

When asked by the Times reporter how he helped Meghan and Harry prepare for their move to LA, the Hollywood entrepreneur made a point of not only ending the question with two icy words, but also a to take a swipe at the British press in general.

“I didn’t do that,” he shot back, prompting The Times to note that “any intimacy evaporated during the conversation” and the interview quickly derailed. Ouch.

While we can’t know for sure whether Perry was acting as a mouthpiece for the Sussexes here — and remember, they’ve briefed their A-list friends on what to say to the press in the past — his words immediately rang true to my ears.

When he told the Times journalist to back off, I read it as, “They’re ours now — and I won’t let you hurt them again.”

Noble? Yes. Shrink? Also yes.

More importantly, it shows that, almost five years after Megxit, the Sussexes still see the world in terms of ‘us versus them’ – with America firmly entrenched as the ‘good guys’ and the British as the plummy Hollywood villains .

It also makes me suspect that the chances of a reconciliation with the royal family remain negligible, despite reports that King Charles dearly misses his wayward son.

Perry and Meghan were photographed together this week at the Paley Honors gala in Beverly Hills, where the 55-year-old filmmaker and philanthropist was honored with a celebration of his illustrious career.

Meghan, who – let’s face it – rarely misses the opening of an envelope, was pictured everywhere with her friend so bravely rescuing her in her time of need. In terms of rescuers, he is only second to her husband Harry, who rescued her from the Canadian series Suits, a TV sitcom she was apparently on when they did meet..

Anyway, back to *that* question. There wasn’t anything terribly offensive about it, was there?

After waving the reporter away, he added, “Meghan is from California. She knows California well. So there was nothing to prepare them for. But I will say this: what I’ve learned about mentioning it – because there’s an insatiable hunger to know everything about it – is that every question asked becomes the headline of everything I say.”

When asked why the appetite for news about the couple was so insatiable, Perry replied: “You’re from Britain, just tell me.” The suggestion that America had equally strong feelings about Harry and Meghan prompted Perry to remark: “You think? Well, you would know better than me, because I don’t pay attention to that world.’

The truth, of course, is that Perry did indeed help them prepare for life in LA. In 2020, he texted Meghan, whom he did not knowa note that reads, “If you ever need anything, I’m here.”

Meghan jumped at the offer to live in your $18 million home with access to your private jet and security team. I mean, what girl wouldn’t say yes to that? Meghan knows a lot when she sees one.

Not only did she jump at the offer, but one day she and Harry were safely ensconced in Beverly Hills – where they could finally escape the paparazzi! – she made Perry her godfather to their daughter Lilibet.

Perry seems to enjoy his role as protector of the exiled royal family. And his blunt words offer a brief but fascinating insight into how Harry and Meghan – or at least their inner circle – continue to view their relationship with Britain and the monarchy.

Yes, despite being part of the furniture in Montecito, Perry still acts like Harry and Meghan need some American muscle to scare off the mean old English.

Please.

Perhaps this is even how Meghan herself sees the situation, almost five years after she fled Britain? Who could say? But Perry’s interview certainly invites speculation.

Personally, I’ve never had much sympathy for the Sussexes. After that Oprah interview in 2021, I was done. Talk about biting the hand that feeds; their unforgivable everything was like chewing off the arms of the people who loved you.

I grew up in London. Londoners loved the Queen, especially in the working-class areas. I remember excitedly waving my Union Jack flag and eating trifles at a street party in the East End to mark the Queen’s Silver Jubilee in 1977.

I was three years old and if you’re not British it’s hard to understand the magic of the royal family and how they unite the country. They are beacons of light, especially in dark times – not to mention a boon to our tourism industry.

When Princess Diana announced her pregnancy with William, an eight-year-old me wrote her a poem. Imagine my excitement when I received a handwritten thank you note in the mail a few weeks later, signed simply “Diana.”

As a little girl it made my year. As a 50 year old woman I can still laugh about it.

And then along came Meghan, an actress who apparently had her sights set on Harry for a while. We all know the story: they meet, they get married, the British loved her (for the most part). Then they left for America, leaving the queen heartbroken.

Then came Oprah, Spotify and Netflix. That book. Royal bashing sold to the highest bidder.

When I saw Tyler Perry reinforcing the view among some Americans – and Brits – that the Sussexes are victims of all this and need protection, my eyes rolled.

My message to Meghan is simple: HHollywood is a fickle friend; Britain, on the other hand, is not your enemy, and you need no protection from its monarchy or its people.

Despite everything that has happened, you know that the Royal Family would welcome you back as soon as possible. Charles’ love for his youngest son runs too deep.

The longer you leave Britain behind, the harder it will be to finally get home. Remember, the British are forgiving. Look how they welcomed Camilla into the fold.

One day you may discover that family – real family – is more important than a Hollywood friendS.