Meghan Markle's relationship with the Beckham family has come under intense scrutiny following a series of allegations and accusations.
The fallout, detailed in investigative reporter Tom Bower’s new book, "The House of Beckham: Money, Sex and Power," paints a picture of a once-close friendship that has turned sour over the years. The book claims that Markle sought free clothes and handbags from Victoria Beckham, a request allegedly vetoed by Buckingham Palace. This initial friction has snowballed into a much larger conflict, now involving allegations of sabotage and declining popularity.
According to Bower, Meghan, who was engaged to Prince Harry at the time, asked her designer friend Victoria for free merchandise. This request was reportedly blocked by the Palace due to protocol. The tension between the two women was exacerbated by an article suggesting that Victoria had given Meghan beauty tips, a claim that reportedly irritated Meghan.
“Only after The Sun reported how Victoria had given Meghan makeup advice did the relationship between the two ambitious women crash,” Bower wrote. The situation worsened when Meghan felt slighted after the Beckhams were invited to her wedding but excluded from a star-studded dinner attended by celebrities like George Clooney.
Further complicating matters, Meghan reportedly became envious of Victoria's considerable wealth. Despite these tensions, Meghan publicly supported Victoria’s fashion brand by wearing her designs at high-profile events. However, the absence of Harry and Meghan from Brooklyn Beckham's wedding to Nicola Peltz in 2022 indicated lingering animosity, according to the New York Post.
In a more recent development, Meghan has accused David and Victoria Beckham of manipulating television ratings to undermine the popularity of her Netflix documentary "Harry & Meghan." According to RadarOnline, Meghan believes the Beckhams conspired to ensure their own series, "Beckham," outperformed her documentary. This allegation comes amid reports of declining viewership for "Harry & Meghan" and its failure to resonate with audiences.
“Meghan’s all over the place. Apparently, she’s been really affected by these bad Netflix ratings and her friends are saying she’s looking to pin the blame on anybody she can think of to validate the theory she and Harry have been sabotaged,” an unnamed source told RadarOnline.
The Beckhams, who have a strong presence in both the U.S. and the U.K., have reportedly been blamed for various setbacks in Meghan and Harry's public image. Spies suggest that Meghan is convinced the Beckhams are working against her and Harry, an accusation that insiders have dismissed as irrational. The Beckhams’ recent collaboration with King Charles as ambassadors for The King's Foundation has further fueled these suspicions.
"It's very clear whose side David and Victoria have taken in this ugly battle. They're not even pretending to play the middle,” a tipster said.
The strained relationship is particularly disheartening given Meghan’s attempts to rekindle her friendship with Victoria. According to sources, Meghan tried to reach out to Victoria recently but was met with a cold response, exacerbating the situation.
"The word is Meghan was really hoping she and Victoria could become close again. Apparently, Meghan tried to reach out to her not long ago but go nowhere, so this whole situation must sting that much more,” a mole claimed.
As Meghan grapples with declining popularity and financial setbacks, the accusations against the Beckhams add another layer of complexity to her public image. Bill Simmons, a senior executive, previously labeled Meghan and Harry as "f------ grifters" following their failed Spotify deal. Since then, Meghan has been working to rebuild their finances through her lifestyle business, American Riviera Orchard. However, the endeavor faced criticism when jars of homemade strawberry jam sent to potential clients had defective labels.
"It seems like it's been one embarrassment after another — and getting their butts beaten by the Beckhams in the ratings is just the cherry on top," an insider remarked.
The unfolding drama between Meghan Markle and the Beckhams continues to captivate the public, highlighting the challenges faced by high-profile individuals in maintaining relationships and managing public perceptions. As the accusations and counterclaims persist, the focus shifts to how Meghan and Harry will navigate these turbulent waters and whether they can restore their standing in the eyes of both their peers and the public.