Oprah Winfrey calls Meghan Markle her ‘next-door friend’ after receiving $68 gift from Duchess

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: The holiday season is all about spreading love and joy, and Meghan Markle and Oprah Winfrey are joining in the festive spirit. Markle, 43, gave her Montecito neighbor and close friend Winfrey, 70, a modest but thoughtful gift.

The $68 gift was carefully chosen to reflect Winfrey’s deep love of trees and nature, adding a personal touch to the gesture. This meaningful gift is a symbol of Markle and Winfrey’s enduring friendship, which began in 2018.

Meghan Markle’s thoughtful gift for Oprah Winfrey

Meghan Markle, known for her thoughtful gifts, surprised Oprah Winfrey with a $68 Tatcha Hinoki skincare set, OK! The magazine reported.

Inspired by the Japanese practice of shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing, this set includes a body wash, body lotion and body oil infused with hinoki oil, known for its calming and rejuvenating properties.

The media mogul, visibly touched by the gesture, expressed her enthusiasm by saying: “I love it because it was sent to me by a friend next door, Meghan Markle.”

To make the gift even more personal, Markle included a book about awakening the forest, highlighting Winfrey’s deep love of trees and nature. The gift has now been highlighted in Oprah’s highly anticipated list of favorite things of 2024.

The Tatcha Hinoki Treatment Set is part of the brand’s Forest Awakening collection, inspired by the therapeutic benefits of immersing yourself in nature.

A source close to the Sussexes explained that Markle’s thoughtful choice not only showed her impeccable taste, but also demonstrated her “deep understanding of Oprah’s interests and passions.”

The source added: “Meghan’s choice could very well spark renewed interest in Tatcha’s Forest Awakening collection. This thoughtful exchange between two of the world’s most high-profile women is a reminder that even in the spotlight, personal connections and meaningful gestures remain at the heart of holiday traditions Meghan’s talent for combining luxury and intention proves that she’s not just a duchess, she’s also a friend who truly pays attention.

Markle and Winfrey’s friendship became well known after their 2021 interview, during which Markle and Prince Harry openly discussed their struggles within the royal family. Since then, the two men have maintained a close bond, often sharing heartfelt moments through gifts and gestures.

Meanwhile, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are expected to spend the holiday season with their two children and Markle’s mother, Doria Ragland, at their Montecito home.

What did Netflix insiders say about working with Meghan Markle?

Recently, Netflix insiders shared their experiences working with Meghan Markle while expressing skepticism about the future of her upcoming cooking and lifestyle-focused Netflix show.

A source close to the streaming giant spoke to the Daily Mail, revealing that working with Markle had been a challenge. “It’s so much work with her,” the source shared, adding doubts about the potential success of her upcoming show. “Frankly, the ‘deliverable’ doesn’t seem worth it,” they continued.

The insider further commented that Markle’s cooking series “might not see the light of day” and suggested there might not be another deal. “There may be isolated cases, but that’s it,” they said.

The source also addressed Markle’s absence from a recent surprise event hosted by Oprah Winfrey for their mutual friend Gayle King, mentioning that “celebrities are now actively staying away from them and the events they go to apparently attending. One of them said to me: “It’s not nice to be with them.”