Meghan Markle’s inner circle of friends appears to have changed over the years – and according to reports, another celebrity could soon be axed from her group amid controversy

Since stepping into the spotlight with Prince Harry, Meghan Markle seems to have cultivated friendships with a number of high-profile celebrities. But royal watchers have noted that the majority of those have cooled significantly over time.

Meghan and Harry were once close to the Beckhams – something that has greatly soured – and she stepped away from her best friend Jessica Mulroney when she was mired in a white privilege row. Other former pals include Millie Mackintosh, and Piers Morgan, who has spoken about being ‘snubbed’ by Meghan once she met Prince Harry. The former actress has also famously cut ties with her own family, and she and Harry are now estranged from the royals.

And there is now speculation that Meghan may drop yet another high-profile name who has proven controversial – Ellen DeGeneres. The Duchess of Sussex appeared on Ellen’s chat show in 2021 to talk about her life in California with Harry and their children, and she and Harry also attended Ellen and wife Portia’s vow renewal last year.

In 2020, allegations of “toxic” workplace behaviour on the set of The Ellen Show emerged, prompting Ellen to step away from the spotlight and wrap up the show. And earlier this month, she shared a brand new update, stating that after her existing contractual obligations end, she will leave showbusiness: “This is the last time you’re going to see me.. After my Netflix special, I’m done.”

Ellen’s fall from grace might also see her cut from Meghan’s inner circle. Royal commentator Charlotte Griffiths told Palace Confidential: “[She’s unfriended] family members, Suits co-stars, her best friend Jessica Mulroney whose children were page boys at the royal wedding. I think she’s a bit strategic with her friends and once she’s finished with them, she casts them aside and forgets all about them, deletes their number and blocks their number in some cases.”

It comes amid reports that Harry and Meghan’s popularity with the American public has taken a nosedive since their move Stateside. The couple were welcomed with open arms following their decision to move to California after quitting royal life. But their constant criticisms of his family have seen the tide turn.

Most recently, Harry faced a huge major backlash for receiving the Pat Tillman award. The distinction is meant for someone with a strong connection to sports who has served others in a way that honours the legacy of Pat Tillman , a former NFL player and US Army Ranger who was killed in action in Afghanistan .

According to former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond, Harry’s decision to accept the honour was an “own goal” for the Prince. She told OK: “It might have been wiser either to decline, or to nominate one of his Invictus heroes as a worthy winner. I suppose Americans have now got used to the novelty of having a British prince making his home in their country, and inevitably some of the gloss is wearing off. But Harry remains an immensely likeable man, and I’m sure his personality makes him as popular as ever with people he associates with.

“Fame is often a double edged sword: one minute you are sitting atop a pedestal of adoration, and the next you are unroyally knocked off it. I don’t imagine that Harry takes a great deal of interest in random polls about their popularity… but media savvy Meghan might find it rather harder to swallow.”