David Beckham's 'mortifying' conversation with Prince Harry over Meghan and Victoria 'row'

They were once the epitome of friendship goals, but it seems the bond between the Beckhams and the Sussexes has hit rocky waters.

David and Victoria Beckham, who were initially keen to help Meghan Markle settle into British life, reportedly extended a helping hand with contacts from Victoria's coveted little black book for top-notch hairdressers and stylists in London.

However, the dynamic reportedly shifted when private details about their budding friendship began appearing in the press. Rumours swirled that Meghan suspected Victoria of leaking information, leading to an uncomfortable phone call between David and Prince Harry.

A source told The Sun in 2021: "Harry was very polite, but obviously it was a pretty awkward exchange and David was mortified. Inexplicably, [Meghan] feared Victoria was behind it - I mean, the idea that Victoria Beckham would be personally ringing journalists to give them a scoop is ridiculous - and spoke to Harry about it.

"Harry is very protective of Meghan, and decided to deal with the matter head-on, by directly contacting his good pal, David. He quickly put Harry right, and the two men agreed to move on - but it certainly made things awkward for a while."

David and Victoria were among the guests at Harry and Meghan's wedding in May 2018, but they were notably absent from the wedding dinner, a snub that reportedly ruffled the couple's feathers, reports the Mirror.

Shortly thereafter, the Royal couple embarked on a tour of Australia, New Zealand, and the South Pacific, which coincided with the 2018 Invictus Games in Sydney. Harry had enlisted David as an ambassador for the Invictus Games, prompting the former footballer to make the journey Down Under.

However, tensions arose when Harry allegedly declined to meet with David in Sydney. Rumours circulated that Meghan, fearing Victoria was leaking stories about her to the press, was the reason behind Harry's cold shoulder.

More recent events have further hinted at a rift between the Sussexes and the Beckhams. In 2022, when David and Victoria's eldest son Brooklyn tied the knot with actress Nicola Peltz in a grand Florida wedding, Harry and Meghan were conspicuously absent.

Similarly, when David welcomed football legend Lionel Messi to his Inter Miami team last summer, a host of celebrities turned out for his debut. Yet again, the Sussexes were nowhere to be seen.

It is speculated that one significant bone of contention between the Sussexes and the Beckhams is David's close ties to Prince William and King Charles.

Like Prince Harry, Prince William has enjoyed a long-standing friendship with David and Victoria Beckham, who were among the distinguished guests at his wedding to Kate Middleton in Westminster Abbey back in 2011. The Duchess of Cambridge has even been spotted donning Victoria Beckham's fashion creations, including dresses and sunglasses.

In 2022, David Beckham joined the Royal couple in Boston for the second annual Earthshot Prize Awards, an initiative spearheaded by Prince William, where Beckham had the honour of presenting one of the prestigious prizes.

David Beckham's Royal connections were further cemented when he was appointed as a King's Foundation ambassador by King Charles. Celebratory photographs showed Beckham at Highgrove, the King's Gloucestershire residence, engaging in woodworking alongside foundation students at the Snowdon School of Furniture, and exchanging beekeeping experiences with the monarch.

Beckham expressed his admiration for rural life and the work of His Majesty's foundation, saying: "Having developed a love for the countryside I'm also on a personal mission to learn more about rural skills which is so central to the foundation's work. It was inspiring to hear from the King about the work of His Majesty's foundation during my recent visit to Highgrove Gardens and compare beekeeping tips!"

This week saw another warm encounter between Beckham and the King at the first-ever King's Foundation awards held at Buckingham Palace, where the two shared a friendly exchange over football and England's prospects in the upcoming Euro 2024 championships.