Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have adopted one of Ellen DeGeneres’ rescue chickens after it was reportedly being bullied at the talk show host's estate.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s $14.5 million (£11.3 million) mansion in Montecito, California, is just five minutes away from Ellen’s sprawling $25 million (£20 million) estate, and Harry and Meghan are close pals with the talk show host and her wife Portia de Rossi. The 65-year-old, who is a keen animal lover, has rescued hens from around California over the last few years, but she was forced to relocate one of her chickens after some alarming behaviour in the coop.
Ellen took to Instagram to inform her 139 million followers that her beloved chicken Sinkie, who was named by celebrity pal Steve Carell, had to be re-homed after she was being bullied by other chickens. The hen had already been through a tough health journey after suffering a broken fibula, when Ellen decided enough was enough, and called in her royal friends to save the day.
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“Sinkie's leg is fixed but our chickens were still picking on her so she had to be re-homed. Luckily our friends Harry and Meghan's coop had room for one more. Not sure yet what her royal title will be,” she wrote in the caption. Her loyal followers inundated the comments with suggestions for Sinkie’s new name, with one suggesting: “Lady Sinkington would be such a cute royal title for Sinkie!”
Kate Middleton swears by £19.99 rosehip oil that helps 'reduce wrinkles & scars'While another fan said the chicken would be a great addition to Harry and Meghan’s growing family. “Sinkie is lucky. Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet will spoil her,” they wrote. During the couple’s interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2021, Meghan revealed that the chicken coop in their backyard was adorably named Archie's Chick Inn.
The royals have been close friends with Ellen for a number of years, and the couple were spotted by eagle-eyed fans when the talk show host renewed her vows to wife Portia in January last year. The Arrested Development star surprised Ellen with the intimate ceremony as part of her 50th birthday celebrations, with Kris Jenner officiating the star-studded nuptials.
In the video posted to YouTube, Harry and Meghan can be seen smiling and applauding with glasses of champagne in their hands, as they watched the couple cement their love once again. The assembled guests who were all in on the surprise included Gwyneth Paltrow, Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, and Katy Perry, who also attended Harry’s father King Charles’ coronation in May last year.