Prince Harry’s failed friendships: From Jack Whitehall to David and Victoria Beckham

Prince Harry, once considered one of the most popular and approachable members of the British royal family, has seen his relationships with several high-profile individuals unravel over the years. Known for his fun-loving personality and camaraderie with his friends, some of these high-profile friendships have gone awry, leading to public tension, broken ties, and personal fallout. Here’s a look at some of the more prominent friendships that have soured for the Duke of Sussex, from comedian Jack Whitehall to the famous Beckham family.

1. Jack Whitehall
Comedian Jack Whitehall and Prince Harry were once known to be close friends, often spotted attending social events together, enjoying nights out, and even taking part in charity work. Their bond appeared to be grounded in mutual respect and shared interests, but it appears that this friendship has cooled in recent years.

One significant event that seemed to signal the decline of their friendship was Harry’s shift away from the British royal scene, particularly after his move to California with Meghan Markle. Whitehall, known for his comedic takes on British life and celebrity culture, was less visible in Harry’s life following the Duke’s departure from royal duties. Sources close to Harry claim that his relationship with Whitehall became strained due to differing views on privacy and the media, especially when Harry chose to step back from public duties and raise his family out of the spotlight. This made maintaining connections with figures like Whitehall, whose career thrives on media attention and public appearances, increasingly difficult.

2. David and Victoria Beckham
The Beckhams have long been considered one of Britain’s most glamorous celebrity couples, and for a time, they enjoyed a close friendship with Prince Harry and his ex-girlfriend, Chelsy Davy. Harry was known to attend lavish parties and events hosted by the Beckhams, and the families even vacationed together on occasion.

However, in recent years, the relationship between Prince Harry and the Beckhams has seemingly deteriorated. Rumors of a falling out emerged around the time Harry and Meghan Markle announced their decision to step down as senior royals. The Beckhams, who have long maintained strong ties with the royal family, were reportedly not pleased with the Duke and Duchess’s public statements regarding their departure from royal duties. A significant tension reportedly arose over the Beckhams’ perception that Harry and Meghan’s actions were undermining the monarchy, which led to a cooling of their relationship.

Moreover, while David and Victoria were originally supportive of Harry and Meghan’s endeavors, the couple’s explosive interviews, including their much-publicized 2021 sit-down with Oprah Winfrey, reportedly did not sit well with the Beckhams, who are more private and cautious about the media. Their diplomatic stance on the royal family and their business interests led them to distance themselves from Harry and Meghan, marking a sharp decline in what was once a solid friendship.

3. The “Royal Rift” with William
Though not a friendship in the traditional sense, it’s impossible to discuss Harry’s relationships without touching on his fractured bond with his brother, Prince William. While not a public figure like Jack Whitehall or the Beckhams, the Prince of Wales has been one of Harry’s most significant relationships, both in terms of family and public life. However, as Harry began to embrace his own path away from royal expectations, tensions with William started to rise.

The brothers reportedly had differing views on how to handle royal life, and their relationship began to fray as Harry and Meghan made their decision to step down from their royal duties. Tensions came to a head with Harry’s revelations in his memoir, Spare, where he discussed his rift with William in great detail, claiming that he felt betrayed and unsupported by his older brother. While William’s camp has largely stayed silent, it is clear that the relationship between the two brothers has been irrevocably damaged.