David Beckham’s revenge for Meghan Markle, Prince Harry snub at 2018 Invictus Games in Sydney

Meghan Markle barred Prince Harry from meeting David Beckham during an Australian visit, it has been claimed. But the soccer legend got his own back.

Meghan Markle barred Prince Harry from being photographed with David Beckham at the 2018 Invictus Games in Sydney, before the upset soccer star sought “revenge” against the royal couple four years later, it has been claimed.

The saga is detailed in Tom Bower’s new book The House of Beckham: Money, Sex and Power, with the royal author alleging that the fallout between the royal and the Manchester United legend was brutal.

David Beckham, with son Romeo Beckham during the 2018 Invictus Games Closing Ceremony at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney. Picture: Getty Images

Meghan Markle is said to have banned Prince Harry from meeting David Beckham. Picture: AFP

Beckham, who had been friendly with Prince Harry for years before the rift, was among the star guests with wife Victoria at Prince Harry and Meghan’s wedding in May 2018.

However, the relationship between the two couples soured less than six months later.

In October 2018, Beckham attended Prince Harry’s Invictus Games in Sydney, but was snubbed, Bower claims.

Victoria and David Beckham were among the superstar guests at Prince Harry’s wedding. Picture: Getty Images

“Beckham found himself alone at the Invictus Games stadium,” Bower writes in the biography.

“Arriving on the agreed day to meet Prince Harry he was perplexed [as to] why officials were playing a dance to keep him happy, but away from Harry.”

Beckham is said to have questioned officials as to why he wasn’t allowed to spend time with Prince Harry, before he allegedly learned that “the prince had ordered that under no circumstances was the footballer to be allowed near him.”

David Beckham and son Romeo were left out in the cold in Sydney. Picture: Getty Images

“Photographs of the two together were forbidden,” Bower claimed. “The royal snub was brutal. David Beckham was puzzled. Why did the prince refuse to meet him?

“The exclusion order, it later transpired, was issued by Meghan,” the author alleged. “She did not want any competition in the media from Beckham, and especially not from his wife Victoria,” Bower wrote.

David Beckham, in 2010, had been friends with Prince Harry for years before the fallout. Picture: AFP

Beckham, who has long told of his admiration and respect for the royal family, was said to have been deeply “perplexed” and hurt by the Sussexes and their behaviour.

However, he exacted revenge more than four years later in a slick move involving Prince William and Princess Catherine, Bower claims.

In November 2022, Beckham flew to Boston to join Prince William and Princess Catherine for the launch of the royals’ environmental Earthshot prize.

The author alleged that on the same day, “Harry and Meghan were seeking to wow Americans during an event in New York.”

“Inevitably the Sussexes were overshadowed by the constellation [of celebrities] in Boston,” Bower writes. “Beckham had got his revenge for the Sydney snub.”

Originally published as David Beckham’s revenge for Meghan Markle, Prince Harry snub at 2018 Invictus Games in Sydney