Why David Beckham’s knighthood is the ultimate revenge on bitter Prince Harry
Despite his once close friendship with Prince Harry, ex-England ace David Beckham has since snubbed the Sussexes.
David Beckham accepting a knighthood is the ultimate snub to his former pal Prince Harry. When the former England footballer was named on the King’s birthday honours list in June, I’m sure ripples were felt across the pond in Montecito, where Harry and Meghan have laid down roots many thousands of miles away from Harry’s family.
Of course, Becks and Harry were BFFs not too long ago. But after an alleged fallout, their friendship has crumbled – reportedly after Meghan Markle issued an “exclusion order” at the Invictus Games. According to royal author Tom Bower, the Duchess of Sussex barred the Beckhams from attending the 2018 games.
In the book House of Beckham, Bower wrote: "Photographs of the two together were forbidden. David was said to be puzzled as to why Harry wouldn't meet him. The exclusion order, it later transpired, was issued by Meghan. She did not want any competition in the media from Beckham, and especially not from his wife Victoria."
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Other reports suggested Harry was suspicious the Beckhams were leaking stories about he and Meghan to the press, with one source telling The Sun: “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.”
Despite it being revealed that it was actually a beautician who had leaked the story, the friendship was soured – and too far gone to save.
At the same time, David has maintained a close friendship with the other royals, including Prince William and King Charles. And his accepting the title of Sir David Beckham will be another sting in the tail for Harry, as demands grow for him to lose his titles in the way of the disgraced Andrew Mountbatten Windsor.
David is a royalist through and through, and this latest snub might make Harry doubt his move to the US with his wife and children.
David admitted in the past: “I always get emotional talking about anything that I do with our Royal Family. I was brought up in a household that adored and loved everything that came with the Royal Family."
He has described Harry’s estranged father Charles as an “incredible man”.
So when the sword touches David’s shoulders later today, and the Beckhams become Sir David and Lady Victoria, spare a thought for the frazzled prince halfway across the world, missing his old pal.
