Awkward Moment Oprah Winfrey Interrupts and Rattles Meghan Markle as the Duchess Is Speaking at Event

Meghan Markle made an appearance at a recent event in Summerland, California, to open Godmothers bookstore near her home in Montecito. Oprah Winfrey was a VIP at the event and other high-profile faces in attendance included Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi, as well as Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos.

Meghan also gave a speech and talked about when she took a trip to Manhattan for her baby shower while she was still living in the U.K. as a working royal, recalling: “For me, sneaking to New York five years ago was a really big deal. I was still so uncomfortable being out in the world. The safety of what I was craving, I knew I could find in a bookstore.”

While books and their stores may have served as a safe space for Meghan then, this particular event came with an awkward moment while she was speaking courtesy of Oprah. Read on to find out what Lady O did after the Duchess of Sussex had taken the mic.

What Oprah did while Meghan was speaking

Most people don’t want to be interrupted when they’re speaking. That includes Meghan, which is why it made for an awkward situation when as she was talking, Oprah arrived and walked in front of the duchess to take her seat.

The Daily Mail quoted author Elizabeth Holmes, who posted video of the moment Oprah was shown her seat, as saying: “Meghan had just started speaking and I was really focused on filming that and Oprah was so discreet, so she was in the green room prepping for her panel and then she was seated while Meghan was speaking. She came in so quietly that I didn’t even realize. I sat there studiously filming and then all of a sudden it’s like Oprah right there and she is like ‘sorry’ and I am like no you never need to say sorry. Anyway, surreal.”

Holmes explained that Oprah did not arrive to the event late but “had been in the green room, prepping for her part of the program, and was seated as Meghan was speaking.”

Prince Harry’s wife did look a little frazzled and even paused for a moment as many eyes turned to Oprah during her remarks. Meghan then continued with no other interruptions or distractions.

Why the duchess’s speech drew ire from some royal watchers

Meghan Markle’s Death Stare When She Forgot She Was on Camera at an Event With Her Mother and Prince Harry Goes Viral

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Had Awkward Moment in Nigeria for What They Refused to Do Amid Feud With Royals

Awkward Moment Meghan Markle Touches Kate Middleton at Queen Elizabeth’s Funeral Goes Viral

The Duchess of Sussex’s speech caused backlash on the other side of the pond but not because of anything she said.

The reason some royal watchers were upset is because of the timing of the former Suits star ‘s speech as it was on the eve of the second anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s death .

A few commenters called the move “plain classless” while others said: “Their lack of respect is appalling but not a surprise.”

Moreover, Express branded the timing of Meghan’s speech as “terribly disrespectful.” And royal biographer Richard Fitzwilliams branded it a “dreadful” mistake, telling GB News : “I think it was an absolutely dreadful choice … especially on a very special anniversary.”