Harry and Meghan's feud with Beckhams from 'furious call' to 'brutal snub'

08 August 2023 , 10:30

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Harry and Meghan's feud with Beckhams from 'furious call' to 'brutal snub'

At first glance, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have many similarities to David and Victoria Beckham.

Both couples are among the most famous in the world, do everything they can for their children and are known for their charity work. And it seems this was the basis for the pairs striking up a close friendship - especially when Meghan moved to the UK.

However, more than five years on, there are reports that their once happy bond has grown sour and that their relationship has cooled following several snubs on both sides - and a reported furious phone call. So what exactly went on between the Sussexes and the Beckhams?

Early friendship

David and Victoria have been long-time friends of Harry as well as his older brother Prince William. In fact, during her Spice Girls days, Victoria met both of the princes, who were teenagers at the time, on several ocassions, including at the premiere of SpiceWorld The Movie.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in South Africa (WireImage)

David and Victoria Beckham at Harry and Meghan's wedding in 2018 (PA)

It appears that the Beckhams stayed on friendly terms with Harry and when he started dating Meghan, they were reportedly eager to make her feel welcome in the UK. In fact, there were reports that Victoria had given Meghan access to her little black book of her favourite hairdressers and stylists in London.

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Biographer Tom Bower, who has written a book on Meghan and is now writing one on the Beckhams, claimed in The Sun the former footballer and fashion designer even offered the now Duchess of Sussex refuge at their Los Angeles home at a time when there was intense media interest about her.

Furious phone call

However, the first sign of tension came shortly after this, when reports about Victoria helping out Meghan were published - leaving the Sussexes upset. According to the Mail On Sunday, Harry confronted David with his suspicions in a phone call that left the ex-Manchester United star "furious".

Harry and David together in 2010 (PA)

Harry and Meghan were said to be worried that close friends might be leaking stories about them and were keen to find out who could be behind it. It is alleged that in particular, Meghan suspected Victoria - and Harry called David to repeat the accusation.

A source close to the Beckhams told the publication: "David and Victoria went to Meghan and Harry's wedding and were very supportive when Meghan arrived in the UK."

Invictus 'snub'

Afterwards, the couples seemed to put the ordeal behind them with David and Victoria at St George's Chapel in Windsor to see Harry and Meghan get married in May 2018. Victoria wore a chic navy dress and hat while David looked smart in a morning suit.

Several months later, the royal couple headed off on a tour of Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific, which coincided with the 2018 Invictus Games, which were being held in Sydney. Harry and a pregnant Meghan appeared at the opening ceremony of the Games.

Harry and Meghan at the Invictus Games in Sydney in 2018 (Doug Peters/EMPICS Entertainment)

Meghan in a Victoria Beckham design on Commonwealth Day in 2019 (Getty Images)

Harry asked David to be an ambassador for the Invictus Games - but things reportedly turned sour when the prince refused to see the former England football captain at the event in Sydney in 2018. Now it's being claimed that the reason Harry was keeping his friend at arms' length was Meghan - as she feared Victoria was leaking stories about her to the press.

"Having flown half-way around the world, he was perplexed why officials after he arrived at the sporting venue were playing a dance to keep him happy, but away from Harry," Tom Bower writes for The Sun. "The reason for the distance was Meghan, the newly married Duchess of Sussex. She wanted no competition in the media from David, and especially not from his wife, Victoria."

Fashion nods

But despite the growing tension, Meghan did wear some of Victoria's designs after this. On Christmas Day in 2018, while pregnant with Archie, she wore a Victoria Beckham navy coat during the royals annual walk to church in Sandringham. And just months later in March 2019, she wore a Victoria Beckham to the Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey.

Former Suits actress Meghan previously spoke of Victoria in the press and admitted she didn't have the right 'silhouette' to wear designs from the Spice Girl's fashion label. Meghan, who is 5ft 6in, said: "What I'm starting to learn is, even though things look amazing on the hanger, it doesn't mean they're going to look amazing on me. For example I love Victoria Beckham dresses, but I don't have the long torso to support that silhouette."

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Wedding no-show

Meanwhile more recently, there have been signs that all has not been right between the Sussexes and the Beckhams. Last year when David and Victoria's eldest son Brooklyn married actress Nicola Peltz in a lavish wedding in Florida, Harry and Meghan were nowhere to be seen.

Similarly, just last month when David welcomed football superstar Lionel Messi to his Inter Miami team, a star-studded crowd were in attendance for his debut. Among them included Kim Kardashian, LeBron James and Serena William, a known BFF of Meghan, but again the Sussexes weren't there.

Jennifer Newton