Megxit and Beckxit - what’s the real story of the Beckhams and the royals?
Inside the two camps of feuding families
The story of the Beckhams and the Royals has captured the headlines of late, with lots of tantalising twists and turns. We have to admit, we tried not to get drawn into what looked like a private family fall-out, between David and Victoria and son Brooklyn and wife Nicola, but once it involved dinner parties in Montecito and fashion awards in London, we couldn’t help it. So what’s happening? Here’s a summary:
There have been several stories of late about Brooklyn Beckham’s rift with parents David and Victoria. He and wife Nicola Peltz didn’t turn up to David’s multiple 50th birthday celebrations recently and the sad dad posted a photo of the couple celebrating with their other children, with Brooklyn noticeably absent.
What to make then, of the leaked photo of Brooklyn and Nicola enjoying a soiree at Harry and Meghan’s Montecito home? They are not friends – Brooklyn hasn’t met Harry for years and Harry and Meghan no longer speak to David and Victoria. You could put it all down to gossip and coincidence, until… Catherine opted to wear Victoria Beckham’s designs at a British fashion event on Tuesday.
According to a source in The Telegraph, the Sussexes’ invitation had been sent before the fall-out, it’s all a coincidence and, “there were several additional guests, including VIPs and film executives. Brooklyn and Nicola had a wonderful time and found Harry and Meghan to be particularly kind, caring and generous.” It’s reported Nicola and Brooklyn were invited through mutual friends.
Nicola and Brooklyn’s feud is said to have started at their 2022 wedding, when the bride opted not to wear a design from her mother-in-law, and the Sussex’s own issues have been rumbling on for years, with Harry making another furious TV interview about why his family won’t speak to him, on May 2.
But considering Harry and Meghan cut off David and Victoria, after inviting them to their 2018 wedding, over claims Meghan accused Victoria of leaking stories, leaving the Beckhams furious, it’s even more pointed, then, that they invited the pair’s estranged son, to their home. Meanwhile, David and Victoria have continued to forge a friendship with the Windsors – last year David became an ambassador for the King’s Foundation, he joined William at an air ambulance event and an Earthshot Awards announcement and the couple are regularly invited to state banquets and formal events. The plot thickens.
Hugs for happy Charles
Florence McGrellis gave Charles an ‘awesome hug’ in Bradford, while the King and Queen were in the city celebrating its people and heritage to mark Bradford being the UK’s 2025 City of Culture.
Fifteen-year-old Florence and the King met at a reception on Thursday, where the teenager was part of a neurodivergent group breaking down barriers to physical activity. Charles also later received a hug from Imran Khan, a tailor whom he previously met in 2022 and had subsequently sent him a specially made jacket.
And, among the many engagements, Charles also spoke to a former cancer patient, florist Safeena Khan, who said he gave her the “thumbs up” when she asked about his health, and told her: “I’d like to think I’m on the better side (of my cancer journey.”
Meanwhile, Camilla hopped aboard the Bradford Stories Bus, an American school bus converted into a travelling literacy event space to inspire children to read and write for pleasure. The Queen later travelled to Thornton to officially open the Brontë Birthplace. The terraced house, built at the turn of the 19th century, was the first parsonage of Patrick and Maria Brontë.
William’s master of the Bath
William had a couple of big occasions this week, he was installed as Great Master of the Order of the Bath, while on Saturday he presented the FA Cup to winners Crystal Palace.
Celebrating the 300th anniversary of Order of the Bath at Westminster on Friday, this was the first time William and Charles, who following his accession in September 2022, became Sovereign of the Order have participated in this ceremony together. The Service for the Order takes place every four years. The Sovereign traditionally attends every other service (once every eight years) and The Prince of Wales, as Great Master, attends each service.
For three centuries, the order has recognised exceptional military and civil achievements across the UK and the Commonwealth. It was established by George I in 1725, though its origins go back to medieval times when part of the ceremony of knighthood included a ritual bath symbolic of spiritual purification.
At Wembley on Saturday, William looked delighted presenting the famous FA Cup to South London football team, Crystal Palace. As President of the FA, the footie-loving prince watched the history-making match which saw the Eagles (as they are known) beat favourites Manchester City to lift their first major trophy. Palace also knocked out William’s team, Aston Villa, in a semi-final.
The Queen’s Reading Room heads to Chatsworth
We make no secret of being big book – and Camilla – fans here at The Royal List, so we’re delighted to see the announcement that The Queen’s Reading Room Festival is returning, this time at Chatsworth House, Derbyshire, on September 19 and 20. With a line-up that includes Jilly Cooper, Helen Fielding, Jojo Moyes, Julia Quinn, Richard Osman, Rupert Everett, Sebastian Faulks, Lady Anne Glenconner, Gyles Brandreth, Sarah Waters, Alan Titchmarsh, Celia Imrie and Reeta Chakrabarti, this would make the perfect mini-break. Tickets on sale here.
Sarah’s corgi ‘chats’ with late Queen
Who doesn’t think they know exactly what their beloved pets are saying? Well, Sarah Ferguson reckons the late Queen speaks to her through her corgis, Sandy and Muick.
Since her passing in September 2022, Queen Elizabeth’s final two corgis have lived at Windsor’s Royal Lodge with Sarah and Prince Andrew. Speaking at a conference this week about the late Queen, the duchess said: “I have her dogs, I have her corgis. Every morning, they come in and go ‘woof woof’ and all that and I’m sure it’s her talking to me. I’m sure it’s her, reminding me she’s still around.”