They’ve walked the red carpet together for the past three years, so fans couldn’t help but speculate over Nicola Peltz’s absence from the prestigious Met Gala, which Brooklyn Beckham attended solo last week.

Cutting a lonely figure in an all-white suit and a Cupid necklace in honour of his wife, Brooklyn, 25, revealed on Instagram how he had opted to attend the star-studded bash while Nicola, 29, stayed at home with her 95-year-old grandmother – with the actress telling followers that they had shared a sweet “cupcake party” together while watching the ceremony on the TV.

However, onlookers questioned Brooklyn’s choice to leave his wife’s side at what appears to be a vulnerable time for the actress, with one commenting, “I think choosing the Met Gala over being with your wife is not a good look”, while another agreed, “I can’t see that marriage lasting.”

Nicola’s choice not to attend the gala comes just a fortnight after the Lola star and director also missed her mother-in-law Victoria Beckham’s 50th birthday bash in London to again be with her “naunni” Bunny. But now insiders say Brooklyn’s mum has been left concerned that the pair appear to be leading increasingly separate lives.

“While Vic respects and loves Nicola for how family-orientated she is, and understands her wanting to be with her grandmother right now, she is a little concerned about her and Brooklyn living separate lives and has reminded them not to get complacent. She’s told them they need to ensure they continue to keep putting in the work required to ensure their marriage remains strong,” an unnamed source told Heat UK.

Victoria and David, who are set to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary later this year, are no strangers to navigating marriage troubles in the public eye, having worked through his alleged affair with his former PA Rebecca Loos in 2003, as per Business Insider.

And while they have put the past behind them, the couple – who also share Romeo, 21, Cruz, 19, and Harper, 12 – were again forced to confront their demons in October, when their Netflix docu prompted Rebecca to speak out and condemn David for “playing the victim."

Meanwhile, Brooklyn and Nicola have often been dubbed the “new Posh and Becks” since getting together in 2019. The couple have been inseparable from the start and, despite rumors of Nicola falling out with Victoria ahead of their lavish May 2022 wedding, the two women have since made up, as per Daily Mail.

Now, though, Nicola and Brooklyn’s uncharacteristic time apart has fueled what one fan described as rumors of “trouble in paradise." But the source says Victoria, who has recently grown close with Nicola again following their alleged feud, has swooped in and advised the pair to ignore the haters and stay strong.

“Enduring it herself with David is one thing, but having to watch her son go through it is incredibly difficult. And while she always knew that would naturally be their fate given they’re in the spotlight, it doesn’t make it any easier. But she knows he’s strong and can get through this. She’s been offering advice to Nicola and trying to support her in any capacity she can. She’s urging her to ignore the haters and rise above all the negativity, while focusing on the people who matter, and reminding herself how amazing her and Brooklyn are,” the insider said.

However, the informant added that Nicola and Brooklyn had persuaded Victoria that they were working together to prove their detractors wrong.

“Victoria has been a huge support and has really focused on making sure Nicola has an outlet for her stress, and Nicola expressed how grateful she was to Vic for all her guidance and support. Nicola and Brooklyn assured her they are more united than ever, and insisted that if anything, the recent separation has made them even closer,” the tipster stated.

Business Times has reached out to Victoria Beckham and Brooklyn Beckham for comments.