HER wedding was watched by millions around the globe, but many A-listers are said to have now “dropped” Meghan Markle in recent months, according to an expert.
The Duchess of Sussex is said to have a “bitter rift” with Victoria Beckham, and she’s not the only star that she has reportedly drifted apart from.
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Phil Dampier, author of Royally Suited: Harry and Meghan In Their Own Words, told Fabulous: “Harry and Meghan are now toxic and lots of people who previously seemed to fawn all over them no longer want to know.
“Put bluntly Meghan has been Markled by some of her friends.”
TABLES HAVE TURNED
This followed the Duchess gaining a reputation herself of having “Markled” – as it was dubbed – a number of friends, including former best pal Jessica Mulroney, who played a key role at Meghan’s wedding.
Phil added: “Lots of movers and shakers would prefer to be in with the royal family and have some of that stardust rub off on them.
“Harry and Meghan can’t present people with honours and awards.
“They don’t have the kudos of a true royal connection, and they have cheapened their brand by their behaviour.”
Meanwhile, Princess Diana’s former butler Paul Burrell said to Closer!: “Harry and Meghan’s circle is getting smaller and smaller.
“I think the A-list stars are dropping like flies.”
STUCK IN A JAM
The friendship shift has been evident with the launch of Meghan’s new lifestyle brand American Riviera Orchard.
So far, the Duchess has teased her new project by sending branded jam to 50 big names, including Kris Jenner, actress Mindy Kaling and model Chrissy Teigen.
However, many of Meghan’s former pals seemed to have been missed off the delivery list.
Here are the high-profile names who could have “Markled” Meghan…
OPRAH WINFREY
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When Meghan and Harry stepped back as senior working royals in 2020, it was Oprah Winfrey who they turned to for their first bombshell post-royal interview.
During the chat they shared numerous explosive claims, including how an unnamed royal had quizzed them on “how dark” their son Archie’s skin would be.
As neighbours in the celebrity hotspot Montecito, the Sussexes and Oprah deepened their friendship, although Paul claims this has since cooled off.
He added: “Back in the day, the A-listers were riding on the moment – Harry and Meghan were the most popular couple in the country at one time, when they got married, but there’s since been a decline.
“Some already have done – Oprah no longer seems involved with them and some other celebrities have also dropped them.”
Paul claimed that Americans “love the royal family” and are realising that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are a “side show” and not the “main event.”
What is Meghan Markle’s new business?
Meghan Markle has launched a new Instagram brand called American Riviera Orchard.
Industry insiders said the site will focus on home, food, garden and lifestyle goods.
A source told the Mail: “It’s a lifestyle and cooking brand called American Riviera Orchard.
“The brand is meant to coincide with the launch of a new cookery show for Netflix.
“Meghan will be making, and selling, products such as jams. And at some point there will be a book and blog etc.”
KATY PERRY AND ORLANDO BLOOM
The Sussexes were also previously close to singer Katy Perry and actor Orlando Bloom, who live down the road from their £12million mansion.
However, according to Closer, they are said to have snubbed an invitation to Archie’s fifth birthday party last month.
During his appearance on Dax Shephard’s Armchair Expert podcast, Prince Harry revealed that he has Orlando’s number saved in his phone and had previously exchanged a few texts with him.
He said: “Two days ago, Orlando Bloom sent me a message because he’s down the road.
“We sort of keep in contact because of the paparazzi.”
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AMAL AND GEORGE CLOONEY
The Clooneys bagged an invite to Meghan and Harry’s 2018 royal wedding, despite it being claimed they ‘didn’t know’ them well.
However, these claims were put to bed when the Sussexes visited the Clooneys’ villa in Lake Como just a few months after their wedding.
However, according to Closer!, Amal and George failed to invite the royal couple to their Albie Awards in October.
Phil added: “It’s ironic that Harry and Meghan invited all sorts of people to their wedding who they barely knew but thought would be useful in the future.
“Now where are those celebrities?
“It just goes to show that you can only really count on your true friends, people you have known for years and trust.”
GWYNETH PALTROW
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In May 2023, Meghan was pictured leaving a Michelin-star sushi restaurant in Montecito, and was thought to have dined with Gwyneth Paltrow and her husband, TV producer Brad Falchuk.
However, the magazine claimed Meghan wasn’t invited to an “intimate Goop dinner” that was recently held at Gwyneth’s house and was attended by Oprah.
VICTORIA BECKHAM
The Beckhams and Sussexes have enjoyed a close friendship over the years, but cracks have formed in the last few years.
The Duke of Sussex allegedly called David to accuse him and his wife Victoria of leaking stories, leaving David ‘furious.’
David was also “snubbed” by Harry after flying for 22 hours from London to Sydney at the royal’s request, for the 2018 Invictus Games.
Cracks first started emerging in the pair’s friendship in spring 2022 when the former footballer invited Prince William and Kate to his son Brooklyn’s wedding – and not Harry and Meghan.
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At the time, a source said: “David’s attachment and history go back with William and Kate and they have a very strong relationship and they were their choice of wedding guests.
“It was always about them, it was never about Meghan and Harry.
“They are the people David and Victoria are attached to and it’s always been about them because they’ve had a long history together.”
And perhaps it wasn’t a coincidence that after the apparent snub, Meghan, 42, seemingly stopped wearing Victoria’s designs – while Kate wore them more frequently.
She wore one of the designer’s dresses to an engagement in January 2023 and was spotted donning a pair of VB glasses at Wimbledon last summer.
She even reintroduced a Victoria Beckham bag to her wardrobe – taking the white Quincy tote out on a royal visit in May 2023, the first time she had been seen with it since 2016.
MEGXIT TERMS
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry announced on January 8, 2020, they would be stepping down as ‘senior’ members of the Royal Family.
On January 18 it was announced that the Sussexes would “no longer be working members of Britain’s Royal Family”, and would not use their “Royal Highness” titles.
A Palace spokeswoman said the couple would no longer receive public money and that they would repay the £2.4million cost of refurbishing their cottage — Frogmore — in Windsor, Berks.
The following day, Harry said in a heartfelt speech: “Our hope was to continue serving the Queen, the Commonwealth, and my military associations without public funding. Unfortunately, that wasn’t possible.”
The Duke of Sussex said he had found the “love and happiness I had hoped for all my life” with Meghan.