In May 2018, the world watched as Meghan Markle walked down the aisle of St George’s Chapel to marry Prince Harry in a wedding fit for a fairy tale. Among the glittering A-list guests, one stylish couple drew as many camera flashes as the royals themselves: David and Victoria Beckham.

The two women, both known for their immaculate style and star power, appeared to have forged a fast friendship in the early days of Meghan’s royal romance. Victoria even offered Meghan access to her coveted fashion connections, reportedly helping the then-actress settle into British society with style tips and beauty contacts.

But somewhere between the confetti of Windsor and the California sunshine of Montecito, the friendship unravelled—and according to royal insiders, the reason may not be what fans expect.

The Jealousy Allegations

Royal commentator Kinsey Schofield, speaking to Fox News, has put forward a blunt theory: jealousy.

“Ultimately, I believe it was envy that caused the fallout,” Schofield said.

While gossip columns have long speculated on a rift, the theory that jealousy was at the heart of it all adds a sharper edge. Both women are famous in their own right, but their paths to success could not be more different—Victoria built a decades-long career, first as a Spice Girl, then as a respected fashion designer. Meghan’s fame came later in life through acting and a whirlwind marriage into royalty.

According to Schofield, that contrast may have fostered underlying tension. “Victoria Beckham is the antithesis of Meghan Markle,” she explained. “She is creative, forward-thinking, hard-working. She executes. She hustles in silence. Victoria pursues advice from people she considers smarter than she is, and she implements it.”

In other words: Victoria plays the long game—and wins.

The Leak Scandal That Sparked Suspicion

The cracks reportedly began to show in 2018, shortly after Meghan’s marriage. In his book House of Beckham, author Tom Bower claimed Meghan became furious after The Sun ran an article about her “growing friendship” with Victoria.

The story itself seemed harmless, but Meghan allegedly believed someone close to Victoria had leaked private details to the press. The suspicion escalated to the point where Prince Harry personally called David Beckham to confront him.

David, according to Bower, was shocked—and after speaking to his wife, he flatly denied the accusation. It later emerged that the leak had not come from Victoria at all, but from a talkative salon receptionist.

Still, the damage was done. Trust, once cracked, is hard to repair.

From Friends to… Nothing

Reports now suggest Meghan and Victoria are no longer on speaking terms. The Beckhams attended the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton’s eldest son, Prince George’s godfather, earlier this year, but Harry and Meghan were notably absent from any Beckham-hosted events.

While the Sussexes maintain friendships in Hollywood—think Tyler Perry, Oprah Winfrey, and Serena Williams—their absence from the Beckhams’ high-profile circle is glaring.

Schofield believes Victoria and David’s continued rise may only make the gulf wider. “Victoria and her husband are wealthy, and their star continues to rise while Harry and Meghan’s is falling,” she said.

Why the Rift Still Matters

Celebrity friendships come and go, but the Meghan–Victoria split matters for more than gossip value. In the world of British celebrity and high society, the Beckhams are power players with connections across sport, fashion, media, and even royalty. Losing that link could limit the Sussexes’ reach in the UK, where their public image has taken a beating in recent years.

And unlike other high-profile feuds, this one cuts across two industries—Hollywood and haute couture. Victoria’s fashion empire thrives on red-carpet visibility and celebrity endorsement. Meghan, meanwhile, has been attempting to establish her own lifestyle and media brand in the U.S., with varying success.

Projects That Stalled

Part of the problem, Schofield claims, is that Meghan’s recent projects haven’t delivered. “Multiple projects announced by Meghan this year haven’t come to fruition,” she noted.

Indeed, the Duchess’s Spotify deal was abruptly cancelled last year after just one season of Archetypes. A reported Netflix animation project was scrapped before production. And while new projects have been teased—ranging from documentaries to philanthropic ventures—concrete successes have been scarce.

“When Meghan does manage to create something,” Schofield added, “people are critical because they have lost faith in the Harry and Meghan brand due to their negativity and dishonesty.”

Different Styles, Different Strategies

It’s worth noting that Victoria Beckham has faced her own share of criticism over the years—her early days as a designer were met with scepticism, and she has been accused of aloofness in public. But the difference, according to industry insiders, is that Victoria tends to let her work speak for itself.

“She hustles in silence,” as Schofield put it, “and she implements advice.” That approach contrasts with the Sussexes’ high-profile, tell-all style, which has included explosive interviews, a bestselling memoir, and a Netflix docuseries detailing their grievances with the Royal Family.

Could They Reconcile?

While neither Meghan nor Victoria has publicly addressed the feud, sources close to both suggest a reconciliation is unlikely. The Beckhams have maintained warm ties with the monarchy—David attended the late Queen’s lying-in-state for 12 hours alongside thousands of mourners, earning public praise. Meghan and Harry, meanwhile, remain estranged from much of the royal family.

In the finely tuned world of celebrity diplomacy, those allegiances matter.

The Price of Falling Out

For Meghan, the loss of Victoria’s friendship isn’t just personal—it’s political. The Beckhams occupy a rare space as both global celebrities and British national treasures. Being part of their orbit lends a certain legitimacy, particularly in the UK.

For Victoria, however, the split appears to have little downside. Her fashion brand continues to receive critical praise, she remains a fixture at Paris Fashion Week, and her marriage to David remains one of the most recognisable partnerships in entertainment.

From Aisle to Divide

In 2018, Meghan and Victoria stood just feet apart in Windsor Castle, smiling for the cameras, each representing a different side of British glamour. Now, the distance between them is measured not in pews but in principles—and perhaps, as Schofield suggests, in envy.

Whether the rift began with suspicion, misunderstanding, or outright competition, one thing is certain: in the rarefied circles of royalty and celebrity, friendships can be as fragile—and as headline-grabbing—as any crown jewel.