Misan Harriman in 2023, Meghan Markle in 2023.Photo:Dave Benett/Hoda Davaine/Dave Benett/Getty; Kevin Mazur/Getty
Dave Benett/Hoda Davaine/Dave Benett/Getty; Kevin Mazur/Getty
Among the fans ofMisan Harriman’s newlyAcademy Award-nominated film is a special friend:Meghan Markle.
“She is really as a sister to me,” the Nigeria-born filmmaker-photographer tells PEOPLE when asked what the Duchess of Sussex’s support means to him.
“I mean, her taste is impeccable,” he adds. “She is someone that looks for great depth of meaning and intention in what she engages in. And I believe she felt that in this film.”
(Left-right:) David Oyelowo, Misan Harriman and Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex in 2023.Emma McIntyre/Getty
Emma McIntyre/Getty
Meghan, 42,hosted a special screening and moderated a talkbackwith Harriman and Oyelowo on Nov. 15 at a private residence in Montecito, California, where the Duchess of Sussex lives with her husbandPrince Harryand their two children, 4-year-old sonPrince Archieand 2-year-old daughterPrincess Lilibet. In a DecemberInstagram postabout the event, Harriman wrote that it was “extra special” to have Meghan and “so many of my film idols watch this film.”
Meghan also made asurprise video appearanceto introduce Harriman before hisTED Talk, “The Power of an Image — and the Mind behind It,” in April of last year.
“To have her recognize this work,” he tells PEOPLE, “is just something I’m really proud of. And I’m deeply thankful as well… little old me trying to get into this world that she knows so well.”
Harriman’s celebrity clientele as a longtime photographer includesRihanna,Cate Blanchett,Tom CruiseandAngelina Jolie. As he acknowledges to PEOPLE, he’s also become Meghan and Harry’s go-toportrait taker.
From the couple’s2021 pregnancy announcementto Lilibet’sfirst birthday photoin 2022 to their appearance at theOne Young World Summit, “I’ve been very lucky to photograph many special moments with her and her husband and her family,” he says.
“My images of them do all the talking,” explains Harriman, who has also appeared in theHarry & Meghandocuseries. “Portraiture for me, whether it is royalty or whether I’m in the tip of the spear in any of the civil rights movements that I care deeply about, is looking for truth. That’s fundamentally what my lens is there, to capture the human condition in full fidelity.”
He continues: “Whether it’s beautiful children and the great love and fortitude of this couple, or whether it is when the world decided to refuse to look away from what happened toGeorge Floyd, whether it’s climate action, the gay and trans community is hugely important for me — my lens is always at their disposal, always will be.”
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle; Misan Harriman.Aaron Chown/PA Images;Kevin Mazur/Getty Images Ms. Foundation for Women
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In addition to her friendship with Harriman, Meghan also shares a special connection with Oyelowo, 47. In September, she and her husband’s Archewell Foundationannounced the donation of school supplies and menstrual productsto young women in Nigeria in partnership withThe GEANCO Foundation. The organization’s David Oyelowo Leadership Scholarship provides full tuition, medical care and emotional support to young female victims of terrorism and gender inequality in Nigeria.
The Afteris streaming now on Netflix.
source: people.com
