Meghan Markle’s ready to end a “grudge” but not the one with the royal family. Rather, she—and Victoria Beckham—are prepared to “mend things” between them and their respective husbands, Prince Harry and David Beckham. The only thing standing in the way of that? David, who doesn’t want to start over with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
Rumors of a Beckham-Sussex ‘grudge’ began in 2018
Talk of friction between David and Victoria and the royal couple started in 2018. It was reported at the time that the former Spice Girl gave Meghan the names of her favorite stylists, spas, and hairdressers in the London, England, area.
When tabloids ran stories about Victoria helping, the actor-turned-duchess reportedly thought Victoria had leaked information to the press. Meghan had Harry call David, who became “furious” about the accusations.
The tension continued when Harry, as author Tom Bower wrote in Revenge: Meghan, Harry, and the War Between the Windsors, asked David to fly to Australia for the Invictus Games. Harry, the author claimed, had no intention of meeting David there. Instead, he decided to steer clear of the soccer star because Meghan didn’t want them to have any “competition” in the media.
These days, the couples are believed not to be on speaking terms. The last time they were seen publicly was in May 2018 when David and Victoria were guests at Harry and Meghan’s royal wedding.
Victoria’s ‘not opposed’ to ending the Harry and Meghan ‘grudge’
Speaking to In Touch, an insider claimed Victoria is “not opposed” to ending the “grudge” after having years to soften on what happened.
“Victoria has actually been much more forgiving than people realize. She was really hurt by the accusations that she was spreading gossip since that’s the last thing she would ever do,” the source said. “But with time she’s mellowed about the whole [situation], especially since Meghan has been reaching out to mend things.”
Meghan, the source added, “genuinely wants to heal any lingering issues.” In the summer of 2024, Meghan wore a blouse from Victoria’s clothing brand which was described by some to be an olive branch.
David Beckham thinks Prince Harry and Meghan Markle shouldn’t get ‘another chance’
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle | Eric Charbonneau/Archewell Foundation via Getty Images
So what’s stopping the Beckhams and Sussexes from ending the strain? David—and the Beckhams’ sons Brooklyn, Romeo, and Cruz—don’t think Harry and Meghan deserve a second chance.
“The problem is David and her boys are still holding a major grudge. They’re super protective of her [Victoria] and don’t feel like she should give Meghan or Harry another chance,” the insider said. “They’re just so offended and angry on her behalf and think she’d being way too nice about it all. As far as they’re concerned there is no going back.”
The former soccer player’s loyalties to the British royal family also play a role in the “grudge.” (He memorably stood in line for hours to pay his respects to Queen Elizabeth II following her 2022 death.) As a “royalist,” David doesn’t want to be “disloyal” to Harry’s brother, Prince William, and his wife, Kate Middleton, by “welcoming Harry and Meghan back.”
“[David] loves hanging out with William and has sided with him and Kate completely,” the source said. “If William and Harry mend fences then David would be more open to it but as of now he’s dead set against it.”
That, in turn, “put[s] Victoria in an awkward position because she’s not going to go against her husband’s wishes. Even if she is ready to let bygones be bygones, David is clearly not and she has to respect that.”
