The relationship between Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, and fashion icon Victoria Beckham has been a topic of fascination and speculation for years. A new biography by Tom Bower, "The House of Beckham: Money, Sex, and Power," sheds light on the once-close friendship that has reportedly deteriorated into a bitter feud.
The book, which has quickly garnered attention in royal and celebrity circles, alleges a series of events that led to the deterioration of their friendship.
According to Bower, the relationship began to sour during Meghan's engagement to Prince Harry. The biography claims that Meghan requested free clothing and accessories from Victoria Beckham's fashion line, a move that was reportedly "vetoed by the Palace for being against their rules." This incident, if true, marks an early point of contention between royal protocol and celebrity culture.
The book further alleges that Victoria Beckham did provide Meghan with a substantial wardrobe for the 2018 royal Christmas festivities at Sandringham House. Bower writes, "Victoria agreed to provide a coat, dress, boots and a handbag worth £6,000 to Meghan for the Royal Family's traditional Christmas Day parade in Sandringham." However, the author claims that despite this generous gesture, "the financial benefit was nil" for Beckham's brand.
Bower's narrative suggests that tensions escalated due to perceived differences in wealth and social status. He writes, "In Meghan's celebrity world, ranking depended on wealth and fame. As a seasoned operator, Meghan deluded herself that her status in the Royal Family placed her above Victoria in the social pecking order." The author goes on to claim that Meghan was "irritated to discover that the Beckhams had considerably more wealth than herself."
The biography also delves into a reported incident involving a leaked story to The Sun newspaper. Bower alleges that Meghan accused Victoria of leaking information about makeup tips she had shared with the Duchess. This accusation, according to the book, left David Beckham "absolutely furious," potentially marking the end of their friendship.
While the book paints a picture of a deteriorating relationship, it's important to note that neither Meghan Markle nor Victoria Beckham has publicly commented on these allegations. OK! magazine reports that representatives for both parties have been contacted for comment.
The alleged rift seems to have had social repercussions as well. Bower claims that while the Beckhams were invited to Harry and Meghan's wedding in 2018, they were not included in the more exclusive wedding dinner guest list. Furthermore, the author suggests that the Sussexes were noticeably absent from the guest list of Brooklyn Beckham's wedding last spring, while Prince William and Kate Middleton were invited.
These revelations come at a time when public interest in both the royal family and celebrity dynamics is at an all-time high. The book's claims, if substantiated, offer a glimpse into the complex world of celebrity friendships and the potential pitfalls when royal protocol intersects with celebrity culture.
As the story continues to develop, it raises questions about the nature of celebrity relationships, the impact of wealth and status on friendships, and the challenges faced by those navigating both royal and celebrity spheres. While the full truth of the situation may never be known, Bower's book has certainly reignited public interest in the relationship between these two high-profile families.
