Perry became acquainted with the Sussexes after first connecting with Markle around May 2018, when he sent her a letter before her and Harry's wedding. In "Harry & Meghan," Perry shared that he reached out because of reports he saw about Markle's father, Thomas, regarding his staged photos. "I found it to be hurtful if he were my father," he said. "And I couldn't even imagine this woman finding the man that she loved, the man of her dreams . . . and have your father do some horrible things."
Following Harry and Markle's January 2020 royal exit, Perry offered to let them stay in one of his LA homes since they were no longer under the protection of the British monarchy. From there, the trio formed a close friendship, and Markle and Harry even named the Hollywood producer the godfather of their daughter, Lilibet, born on June 4, 2021.
