EXCLUSIVEDavid and Victoria Beckham's invitation to state banquet is 'yet another sign friendship with Harry and Meghan is over'
David and Victoria Beckham's invitation to their first state banquet is another sign their friendship with Prince Harry and Meghan is over, a royal expert said today.
The showbiz royalty were surprise attendees at Buckingham Palace last night as they joined the King and Queen for the glittering affair in honour of the Qatari ruler.
David has developed a strong bond with the Royal Family, recently becoming a celebrity ambassador for Charles's charity The King's Foundation - with fellow ambassador Sir Rod Stewart teasing him that his knighthood was 'coming soon'.
The 49-year-old former Manchester United midfielder also met Charles at Highgrove in the spring. And David joined Prince William at RAF Northolt in October to celebrate breaking a £15million target to replace London's ageing air ambulance helicopters.
Posh and Becks were also once friends with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and were among the celebrity guests attending their wedding at Windsor Castle in 2018.
But the Sussexes and Beckhams are believed to have fallen out after a spat dating back to that year, with Harry and Meghan allegedly accusing Victoria and David of leaking stories about them to the press – which the Beckhams denied.
Then it was claimed Charles had a private meeting with David at Highgrove in May to discuss The King's Foundation while Harry was visiting the UK - after the Duke had claimed his father was too busy attending to 'various other priorities' to see him.
Today, royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams told MailOnline that the Beckhams had previously been friends with Harry and Meghan 'going back over a decade'.
David and Victoria Beckham make their way along the East Gallery for the state banquet for the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani at Buckingham Palace yesterday
David and Victoria Beckham arrive for the state banquet at Buckingham Palace yesterday
Guests attend the state banquet for the Qataris at Buckingham Palace yesterday
But he claimed the invitation to the state banquet hosted by the King was the 'second sign this year' that the two couples are 'very definitely no longer so'.
ANALYSIS: Second sign this year that Beckhams and Sussexes are no longer friends
By RICHARD FITZWILLIAMS
The appearance by David and Victoria Beckham at the banquet for the Emir of Qatar during his state visit is the second sign this year that though they were once friends of the Sussexes, reportedly close friends, going back over a decade, they are very definitely no longer so.
This seemed clear in extraordinary circumstances when Harry recently came to Britain for the St Paul's service commemorating ten years of the Invictus Games.
Upon arrival his spokesperson announced that his father's full diary prevented them from meeting.
Yet both of them were in close proximity and it was reported that the King had met David Beckham to discuss charity work whilst Harry was in the country. The optics of this were extremely strange and it underlined the depth of the royal rift.
It was also a clear signal that the monarch and David Beckham enjoyed cordial relations, that Beckham was supportive of the King's charitable endeavours and that Harry was not trusted.
This was the first state banquet that the Beckhams have attended. A reason for their appearance was his role as an ambassador for the 2022 World Cup which was held in Qatar.
Beckham is an iconic figure both for his football achievements, his work for Unicef and other charities and his international profile. It can surely not be long before he receives the knighthood that has been his due for years.
Their appearance also underlines their favour with the royal family. Rumours of rifts in their once close relationship with the Sussexes are plentiful.
When royal expert Tina Brown recently attacked the 'poor judgement' of Meghan and that she was 'flawless about getting it all wrong'. she could have had the duo's behaviour towards the Beckhams in mind.
The Beckhams, then considered friends, attended the Sussexes' wedding in 2018 along with Hollywood stars who were not, yet they were not invited to the wedding dinner which was a bizarre misstep.
David supported Harry's Invictus Games in Australia only to be cold-shouldered after his arrival. There were reports that the Sussexes accused the Beckhams of leaking stories about them to the press which is said to have enraged David.
Yet Meghan, who had visited the Beckhams in California before her marriage, had worn clothes designed by Victoria to promote her label as far back as 2013 and Harry and David Beckham had been friendly before he met Meghan.
We know the Sussexes did not appear at their son Brooklyn's wedding. The likelihood is that the Sussexes, Meghan in particular, became jealous of a couple who are not only among the world's genuine high achievers, but also who are clearly strong supporters of the royal family, including William.
Mr Fitzwilliams said: 'This seemed clear in extraordinary circumstances when Harry recently came to Britain for the St Paul's Service commemorating 10 years of the Invictus Games. Upon arrival his spokesperson announced that his father's full diary prevented them from meeting.
'Yet both of them were in close proximity and it was reported that the King had met David Beckham to discuss charity work whilst Harry was in the country. The optics of this were extremely strange and it underlined the depth of the royal rift.
'It was also a clear signal that the monarch and David Beckham enjoyed cordial relations, that Beckham was supportive of the King's charitable endeavours and that Harry was not trusted.'
He claimed that the Beckhams' appearance last night 'underlines their favour with the Royal Family', adding: 'Rumours of rifts in their once close relationship with the Sussexes are plentiful.'
Mr Fitzwilliams said that when royal expert Tina Brown recently attacked Meghan for having the 'worst judgment of anyone in the entire world' and that she was 'flawless about getting it all wrong', she could have been thinking about their behaviour towards the Beckhams.
He continued: 'The Beckhams, then considered friends, attended the Sussexes' wedding in 2018 along with Hollywood stars who were not, yet they were not invited to the wedding dinner which was a bizarre misstep.
'David supported Harry's Invictus Games in Australia only to be cold-shouldered after his arrival. There were reports that the Sussexes accused the Beckhams of leaking stories about them to the press which is said to have enraged David.
'Yet Meghan, who had visited the Beckhams in California before her marriage, had worn clothes designed by Victoria to promote her label as far back as 2013 and Harry and David Beckham had been friendly before he met Meghan.
'We know the Sussexes did not appear at their son Brooklyn's wedding. The likelihood is that the Sussexes, Meghan in particular, became jealous of a couple who are not only among the world's genuine high achievers, but also who are clearly strong supporters of the royal family, including William.'
Mr Fitzwilliams also described Beckham as an 'iconic figure both for his football achievements, his work for Unicef and other charities and his international profile', adding: 'It can surely not be long before he receives the knighthood that has been his due for years.'
Former England captain David has visited Buckingham Palace before, meeting Queen Elizabeth II at a Queen's Young Leaders event in 2018, and the former footballer and his wife headed to the Palace in 2003 when David was made an OBE.
The couple also attended Prince William and Kate's wedding at Westminster Abbey in 2011.
In 2022, David joined the long public queue to see the late Queen lying in state in Westminster Hall, waiting in line for 13 hours.
A number of creations by former Spice Girl turned fashion designer Victoria have been worn by royals in recent years, including Meghan and Sophie, now Duchess of Edinburgh.
Victoria met Charles as the Prince of Wales on a number of occasions with the Spice Girls, including when he was joined by a young Harry in South Africa.
Victoria was made an OBE in the 2017 New Year Honours for services to the fashion industry and received the honour from William during an investiture ceremony at the Palace.
The Beckhams' former mansion, Rowneybury House, in Hertfordshire was dubbed 'Beckingham Palace' and the pair posed on thrones on their wedding day in 1999.
Last night, the Beckhams were among the 170 guests in the Palace ballroom for the state banquet.
Victoria and David Beckham at Harry and Meghan's wedding at Windsor Castle in May 2018
Prince Harry and David Beckham with Prince William at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa
Harry holds hands with Victoria Beckham at a Spice Girls concert in South Africa in 1997
David was invited because of his close relationship with Qatar after acting as a paid ambassador for the country when it hosted the 2022 Fifa World Cup, which netted him a reported £10million.
But he faced fierce criticism over the connection because of Qatar's criminalisation of same-sex relationships.
David and Victoria dined on a menu of Windsor pheasant, Cornish lobsters and a Balmoral plum sorbet, joining guests such as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and William.
Missing was the Princess of Wales, who is gradually returning to public duties after her cancer treatment and who left earlier in the day after the lunch and Picture Gallery exhibition.
The Beckhams processed into the ballroom alongside fellow guests. David, dapperly dressed in white tie and tails, chatted to Victoria as they made their way through the East Gallery.
King Charles III speaks to David Beckham as they attend the King's Foundation charity's inaugural awards at St James's Palace in London on June 11, 2024
King Charles III shakes the hand of David Beckham during a special industry showcase event hosted by the British Fashion Council at 180 Studios in London in May 2023
David Beckham joins Prince William at RAF Northolt in West London on October 1 to celebrate breaking a £15million target to replace London's ageing air ambulance helicopters
Prince William speaks with David Beckham at the Bafta Film Awards on February 18, 2024
Victoria, dressed in one of her own designs, wore a fitted dark purple floor-length evening gown with long fitted sleeves. Her hair was swept into a sleek pony tail and she gave a small chuckle as they headed towards the ballroom.
She slowed as she spotted a photographer and moved closer to her husband to hold his hand.
As is the custom for couples at state banquets, the Beckhams were sat apart, on opposite sides of the banquet table, with David next to Tory leader Kemi Badenoch, who was sat on his right, and Nasser Al-Khelaifi, president of Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) football club.
David spent a four-month stint at PSG before retiring in 2013 after a 20-year career.
The Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani set up Qatar Sports Investments (QSI) in 2005, which owns the French team PSG.
'Mrs Beckham', as she was labelled on her place setting, was sat between Labour peer Lord Levy and surgeon and former health minister Lord Darzi of Denham.
The rise and fall of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's friendship with David and Victoria Beckham
They are two of the most famous couples in the world, who are once believed to have enjoyed a close friendship.
But in recent years, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are believed to have fallen out with David and Victoria Beckham - in a spat which seemingly dates back to 2018.
The row is believed to have heightened when the Sussexes allegedly accused the Beckhams of leaking stories about them to the press - while royal biographers claimed Meghan 'didn't like the footballer's friendship with Prince William.'
Further speculation about their relationship emerged in May, when it was revealed King Charles had met with David Beckham to discuss his charitable foundation while Prince Harry was in the country.
Previously, the Duke of Sussex had said that his father was too busy attending to 'various other priorities' to see him while he was in the UK.
Here, MailOnline breaks down how the relationship fell apart - from wedding invitation snubs and disagreements over designer clothing to fears of an upstaging.
Prince Harry and Meghan at the Christmas Day church service at Sandringham in 2018
2013 - MEGHAN FIRST MEETS VICTORIA
In 2013, the then-actress Meghan gave the Victoria Beckham label a boost when she wore one of her dresses to a gala event at the New York Film Festival.
Lizzie Cundy, from the UK but now living in LA, claimed she was with Meghan at a party the first time she laid eyes on Posh Spice, causing the Duchess to 'squeal' with excitement.
Lizzie, who first interviewed Meghan in 2013 but hasn't spoken to her in years, told the New York Post Meghan was left starstruck by Posh Spice the first time they met - which was the same time Ms Cundy first met the Duchess.
She told the New York Post that Meghan 'squealed' when she first met Victoria at a party in 2013.
'Meghan was so thrilled with excitement to see Victoria Beckham. She went 'Oh my God, that's Victoria Beckham!', Ms Cundy added.
She claimed the Duchess was a 'proper big fan' of Posh Spice, and recalled thinking Meghan needed to 'calm down and be cool' after first spotting her.
Victoria had her own connections to Prince Harry, first meeting him more than 20 years ago in November 1997 when they both visited South Africa.
They held hands - though it was said that schoolboy Harry's favourite 'Spice' was Emma Bunton.
Meanwhile David and fun-loving Harry had spent a lot of time together both doing charitable work and socialising.
There have been at least two big nights out in London together — one at the end of 2011 and one at the start of 2012, both at the Arts Club in Chelsea. By all accounts, both were heavy drinking sessions that lasted until around 3am.
In 2013, the then-actress Meghan gave the Victoria Beckham label a boost when she wore one of her dresses to a gala event at the New York Film Festival
Prince Harry and David Beckham with Prince William at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa
David and Victoria also attended the wedding of Prince William and Kate in 2011, when Victoria was pregnant with Harper
David and Victoria also attended the wedding of Prince William and Kate in 2011, when Victoria was pregnant with Harper.
David said the following year: 'We had to pinch ourselves when we got the invite. I've become friends with Prince William and Harry as well. We were brought up to love the Royal Family and, when Princess Di was around, the love for her was incredible.
'And then you watch the lives of William and Harry and it's kind of like the Truman Show, seeing them grow into young men.
'It makes you proud to be English, watching them grow into the people they are today.'
David was involved in the Queen's Young Leaders Award in 2016, which Prince Harry attended.
He was also part of the team bidding to host the World Cup in 2018 or 2022 and travelled to Johannesburg with Prince Harry in 2010 to meet with Fifa officials.
David's new passion for shooting - fostered by director Guy Ritchie - gave him even more in common with Harry.
In 2015, three of the Beckham children, Romeo, Cruz and Harper, were introduced to Harry on the sidelines of a Unicef charity football match.
2017 - A FRIENDSHIP DEVELOPS
Biographer Tom Bower said David and Victoria showed kindness towards Meghan ever since she moved into Harry's cottage in Kensington Palace in 2017
David and Victoria showed kindness towards Meghan ever since she moved into Harry's cottage in Kensington Palace in 2017, the biographer Tom Bower told The Sun.
According to the Mail on Sunday, the couples bonded because Izzy May, David Beckham's communications director, was friends with Markus Anderson, chief membership officer for private social club Soho House, who helped arrange Meghan's secret dates with Harry.
Victoria, in what Mr Bower describes as an attempt to 'build their relationship', offered Meghan make-up advice.
A member of the designer's staff is also understood to have helped Meghan with facials and hairdressing.
But the royal couple allegedly had a suspicion that the Beckhams leaked stories about Meghan's help from Victoria to the press - a claim the former Spice Girl denied and left David reportedly feeling 'absolutely bloody furious'.
The Beckhams also hosted Meghan in their six-bedroom house in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles before her marriage to Harry.
The couple's staff tended to Meghan's needs at no cost during her private visit to California, Mr Bower claimed.
Victoria at the time was reported to have been a kindly and constant influence, growing ever closer to Meghan.
By the time that Meghan and Harry became engaged, she and Victoria were said to have 'grown close' and would 'regularly text'.
Meghan also gave the designer her seal of approval by selecting a cashmere knit for one of her engagement portraits with Harry.
2018 - ROYAL SNUBS BEGIN?
Victoria and David Beckham at Harry and Meghan's wedding at Windsor Castle in May 2018
David still accepted Harry's invitation to attend the Invictus Games (pictured with son Romeo). He travelled to Sydney in October 2018 but then never even had face time with the Duke
In 2018, it was being reported that their friendship had grown and that Meghan was in the habit of consulting Victoria about style.
Vanity Fair reported: 'They get along well and have been in touch recently. Meghan really likes Victoria's style and was keen to pick her brains about pulling together a working wardrobe.'
However Harry and Meghan then decided not to invite the Beckhams to their wedding dinner, despite the fact that they were asked to attend the marriage ceremony at St George's Chapel.
Mr Bower claims the move was a 'near-unforgivable insult', citing that many Hollywood stars who attended the dinner 'were not friends'.
But regardless of the alleged slight, David still accepted Harry's invitation to attend the Invictus Games. He travelled to Sydney in October 2018 but then never even had face time with the Duke.
Mr Bower alleges that during this time Harry and Meghan had been regularly searching themselves on the internet to look for hateful comments about themselves.
He claims at that point Meghan was 'not prepared to tolerate anything flattering regarding the Beckhams and the Games to appear in the media'.
David found the apparent move to keep him separated from Harry as 'a bit strange' but decided not to call the Prince about it, the biographer wrote, adding that he and Victoria 'barely mentioned' the slight during their stay at a rented house in North Shore, Sydney.
Regardless, the Beckhams seemingly tried to maintain a relationship with Harry and Meghan.
The couples were neighbours in Oxfordshire after the Beckhams built a home and Harry was renting a converted barn.
The biographer claims that while the men 'occasionally meet at weekends', Meghan had already 'put on airs'.
2018 - 2020 - TENSION OVER FREE CLOTHES?
The designer also produced a custom-made white coat and dress for Meghan in 2020 which she wore during her last appearance in Westminster Abbey in March that year (pictured)
The royal also wowed in a £950 turquoise figure-hugging dress as she made her first post-Megxit appearance at the Endeavour Awards in London alongside Prince Harry in March 2020
In his biography, Mr Bower alleged that the Duchess was frustrated that Spice Girl turned fashion designer Victoria was reluctant to supply her with free clothes and accessories from her label, despite the requests being against Palace rules.
Victoria lent Meghan a coat during the Christmas holidays, which the Duchess wore on Christmas day 2018 during a walk with the Royal Family to the church at Sandringham.
Victoria later appeared on American talk show Live with Kelly and Ryan and admitted it came as a very pleasant surprise to see pregnant Meghan wearing an entire outfit from her line.
Speaking on the talk show, Victoria described the Duchess's decision to choose her designs at Christmas as an honour.
The mother-of-four said: 'She looked so beautiful. It was such a lovely surprise to wake up to on Christmas morning.
'You know, I think she's such a beautiful, strong and wonderful woman – so it was a huge honour!'
The designer also produced a custom-made white coat and dress for Meghan in 2020 which she wore during her last appearance in Westminster Abbey in March that year.
But Meghan, who was pregnant at the time, endorsing Victoria's label had little impact on sales, Mr Bower alleged.
He claims the only direct impact it had was that a £1,400 bag used by Meghan 'sold out' after being linked in a social media video.
The royal also wowed in a £950 turquoise figure-hugging dress as she made her first post-Megxit appearance at the Endeavour Awards in London alongside Harry.
2020 - RIFT OVER WILLIAM?
David flew from Qatar to Boston during the 2022 World Cup to help William and Kate with their philanthropic efforts. American media highlighted the moment David kissed Kate on the cheek (pictured) as she hosted the Earthshot prize ceremony alongside her husband
In February 2020, David spoke about how 'he's proud' of his 'amazing' friend Harry following his marriage to Meghan and the birth of their son, Archie.
David praised Harry for 'growing up' amid his decision to step back back as a senior royal and relocate to Canada.
'I haven't spoken to Harry about him moving,' the sporting legend said, speaking to ET Online. 'We speak as friends and that's the most important thing for me.'
'I think he's enjoying being a young father for the first time and that's what we always spoke about.'
David went on to say that he and Victoria were proud of the father that Harry had become.
He said: 'We love him and he's an amazing person - and that's the most important thing - but I'm proud to see him growing up as an individual and being that person that every father wants to be,' he added.
Meanwhile it emerged later that year that Harry and Meghan hired David and Victoria's highly-rated former aide to join their Los Angeles team.
Mother-of-two Rebecca Mostow was brought in by the couple to help run their day-to-day lives in Beverly Hills, reports suggested at the time.
Ms Mostow previously worked for Prince and Seal and was employed by David Beckham after he started playing for LA Galaxy in 2007.
But as Harry and Meghan prepared to make their move to California and step away from royal life, the Beckhams refused to take sides in the alleged row between the Sussexes and Prince William and his wife Kate.
David and William are understood to have had a good relationships since England's World Cup bid in 2010, which Mr Bower claims 'annoyed the Sussexes'.
Their alleged distaste towards the Beckhams friendship with the then-Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, was furthered when David flew from Qatar to Boston during the World Cup to help William and Kate with their philanthropic efforts.
American media highlighted the moment David kissed Kate on the cheek as she hosted the Earthshot prize ceremony alongside her husband.
The now Prince and Princess of Wales' ceremony, which was attended by President Joe Biden, seemingly upstaged an event hosted by the Sussexes in New York that same weekend.
2022 - WEDDING INVITE SNUB
Reports in July 2020 stated that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were at 'the top of Victoria and David's guestlist for their son Brooklyn's wedding to Nicola Peltz
Reports in July 2020 stated that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were at 'the top of Victoria and David's guestlist for their son Brooklyn's wedding to Nicola Peltz.
Speculation ramped up when Spice Girl Mel B revealed Victoria and David were inviting their own friends to the big day.
Appearing on Lorraine in March 2022, Mel B confirmed she would be attending the event as she spoke about receiving her MBE, revealing: 'I did actually ask her. I'm taking my mum and so I did say, 'Can you dress me and my mum?'
'I'm going to see her at her son's wedding anyway. Yeah Victoria, it would be great!'
However Meghan and Harry were not guests at the wedding in April last year.
It's unknown if the couple weren't invited, or whether they were unable to attend the event.
Brooklyn tied-the-knot with actress Nicola on April 9 at her family's oceanfront mansion in Palm Beach, Florida, which is just a short flight from Harry and Meghan's $14million Californian home.
2023 - ACCUSATIONS OF LEAKING STORIES EMERGE...
In July, it emerged there was a suspicion the Beckhams may have leaked stories about the Sussexes, an accusation The Mail on Sunday was told left David 'absolutely bloody furious'.
A source close to the Beckhams said: 'David and Victoria went to Meghan and Harry's wedding and were very supportive when Meghan arrived in the UK.'
But the accusations, which The Mail on Sunday has been told came in a tense phone call, fractured the Beckham friendship.
The source added: 'Any making up now is so unlikely.'
...AND TENSION AT THE FOOTBALL
A pensive Harry looked concerned as LAFC struggled during the game in September 2023
David Beckham, co-owner of Inter Miami, in September 2023 at the LAFC stadium
Every person on the list of notable attendees at the match in September 2023 had their job title included - except Harry and Meghan
Mr Bower says the spat was again furthered just weeks later when the Beckhams hosted a star-studded celebration after Lionel Messi scored a last-minute for David's football team in Miami, Florida.
Meghan and Harry were reportedly not invited to the party, which is understood to have carried on for hours.
The biographer alleged that Meghan 'pushed' Victoria away over the last few years, adding that she may have done 'much better' with the British public if 'she copied Victoria' instead.
Meanwhile neither Victoria nor Meghan attended Inter Miami's game - despite the Duchess of Sussexes' name appearing on the list of expected guests.
Victoria, who has frequently attended Inter Miami's games and brought along celebrity friends such as Kim Kardashian, was also not seen on the night.
And while Harry didn't bump into Victoria at the match last night, the Beckham's eldest son Brooklyn did have a run in with the Duke.
The Duke was filmed being swept to his $9,000-a-night VIP suite by bodyguards before watching Los Angeles Football Club lose 3-1 to Messi's side Inter Miami at the BMO Stadium.
The prince was cheered by crowds in the lobby as he passed straight by Brooklyn and his wife Nicola Peltz, who did not meet his gaze despite the commotion.
Although it is not clear if the three stars saw one another, the footage has fuelled speculation of an ongoing feud between the Beckhams and the Sussexes.
The King met David Beckham (above in April 2019) to discuss his charitable foundation while Harry was in the UK, the Mail understands
2024 - DID CHARLES SNUB HARRY FOR BECKHAM MEETING?
In the latest twist in the tale in May, the Mail understands that King Charles met David to discuss his charitable foundation while Prince Harry was in the UK.
The Duke of Sussex had said that his father was too busy attending to 'various other priorities' to see him while he was in Britain.
The revelation that the King met the former England captain while his son was home and attending an event two miles from Buckingham Palace could have widened their rift further.
Prince Harry and Meghan in Abuja during a quasi-royal visit to Nigeria in May
It could have also added further pressure on the relationship between the Sussexes and the Beckhams, as it was claimed Harry had wanted to see his father.
Harry's visit was planned months in advance and while the King's visit to a barracks was called a 'surprise', his diary is also tightly choreographed.
The Duke reportedly invited his father to St Paul's Cathedral for the tenth anniversary of the Invictus Games although courtiers were not aware Harry had made any specific request to see the King.
The Palace has remained tight-lipped as to why the two never met despite virtually crossing each other's paths.
