Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made a number of personal revelations in their 2022 Netflix docuseries, which was accompanied by never-before-seen images and home movies of their two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
In 2021, Lilibet became the first senior member of the royal family to be born in the United States. While little is known about King Charles III's youngest grandchild, fans were delighted to learn the identity of one of her godparents through Netflix's Harry & Meghan.
In the sixth and final episode of the limited series, which was produced in collaboration with Harry and Meghan's Archewell Productions company, the couple discussed the birth of their second child with an on-camera cameo by her godfather, Tyler Perry.
The Hollywood actor and filmmaker has played a key role in Harry and Meghan's post-royal lives. In 2020, he lent them the use of his California mansion and provided them with free security when the British government removed Harry's full-time, state-funded police protection.
"He said, 'What can we do to make it easier? How can I help you?'" Meghan said of Perry in the docuseries, adding: "He's like, 'My house is safe. I'll make sure you have security. Take your time.'"
In December 2024, Harry and Meghan will play a role in honoring Perry's Hollywood legacy as "Tribute Host Committee Chairs" when he accepts the Paley Center's Paley Honors Award.
Here, Newsweek looks at everything Tyler Perry has said about being Princess Lilibet's godfather so far.
The Phone Call
Speaking to the camera in Harry & Meghan, Perry opened up for the first time in-depth about his relationship with the duke and duchess.
The star told viewers about how the couple first approached him over the phone about becoming their daughter's godfather.
"We'll call, we'll chat, and we'll talk about silly things," Perry said. "And they were pretty serious on the phone. I go, 'OK, what's going on?'
"They said, 'Well, we'd like for you to be Lili's godfather.' I go, 'Whoa.' I had to take a minute to take that in. And I thought, 'I'd be honored. I'd absolutely be honored.'"
The Condition
After the initial call, Perry described a sudden misgiving, explaining that he had no desire to attend a christening if it meant he had to be around members of the royal family in the United Kingdom.
"I got off the phone, took it all in and then called them back," he said.
"I go, 'Uh, hold on a second. Does this mean we got to go over there and do all of that in the church with them and figure all that out? I don't want to do that. Maybe we can do a little private ceremony here and let that be that, and if you have to do it there, then that's OK.'"
Lilibet was christened in an intimate California ceremony on March 3, 2023. No images of the event were released, and no details about the guests were made public.
James Crawford-Smith is Newsweek's royal reporter, based in London. You can find him on X (formerly Twitter) at @jrcrawfordsmith and read his stories on Newsweek's The Royals Facebook page.
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