Oprah Winfrey recently threw a surprise birthday bash for her best friend of nearly 50 years, Gayle King, who was celebrating her milestone 70th birthday. The event was nothing short of a spectacle, filled with glitz, glam, and an A-list guest list so exclusive it practically came with a "no commoners allowed" disclaimer. Yet, despite all the star power, one notable name was missing: Meghan Markle.
Meghan wasn’t invited to the celebration, and Oprah made sure Gayle’s party was a showstopper. Held two weeks early at the upscale CC Restaurant in New York City, Oprah pulled out all the stops to orchestrate a surprise that could rival a Netflix heist special. Guests yelled "surprise" as Gayle walked in, looking so shocked that she nearly threw her purse onto the nearest table. Even Tina Knowles, Beyoncé’s mother, was there to witness the chaos, alongside Robert De Niro, Tiffany Chen, and Stephen Colbert, who were cutting loose on the dance floor to Beyoncé’s "Cuff It." Gayle stunned in a green dress with a fringe hem and matching green heels, while Oprah made her own statement in a shimmering gold jumpsuit that practically screamed, "I own this party—and maybe the world."
But the real sparkle came from Oprah’s heartfelt speech. "There’s nobody in the world like Gayle King," she declared, showering her best friend with praise and reminding everyone that their 50-year friendship has survived without a single petty squabble.
Now, here's where things get interesting. With all the glittering celebrities in attendance, it’s hard to imagine that Meghan Markle didn’t at least get a nod. After all, Oprah and Meghan appeared to be close not too long ago when Oprah gave Meghan a prime-time platform to air her grievances. But nope—no happy birthday wish, no royal-themed cupcake delivery, nothing.
So why wasn’t Meghan there? It’s not hard to guess. The last time Meghan showed up at a star-studded event, she became the center of attention, and not in a good way. Remember her unexpected cameo that had the world talking? Neither Gayle nor Oprah did, which is likely why they wanted to leave that drama in the past. Meghan’s become the party guest equivalent of pineapple pizza—polarizing, controversial, and best avoided if you want to keep things harmonious.
Rumor has it that Oprah and Gayle were hesitant to invite someone who might turn Gayle’s special day into the "Meghan Markle Show." Meghan, of course, doesn’t need an invite. She’s become known for popping up at events with paparazzi in tow, always looking "surprised" while posing for the perfect candid shot. Word on the street is that Meghan is already perfecting the art of being in the vicinity, just in case Oprah’s next party needs a little Duchess flair.
It’s becoming clearer that Meghan’s once-glittering Hollywood dreams are fading into a lonely spotlight. From being ghosted by the royal family to now being snubbed by America’s media royalty, it seems the only circles Meghan is running in these days are the ones she creates through PR releases.
Meanwhile, Oprah and Gayle are likely sipping top-shelf champagne, toasting to a drama-free celebration. After all, who needs a headache when you’ve got Beyoncé’s mom grooving on the dance floor? If you’re planning a surprise party, take notes from Oprah. And if you’re Meghan Markle, maybe start RSVPing to events you’re actually invited to. It seems the days of crashing Gayle and Oprah’s inner circle are long gone.
