Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are gearing up to celebrate their fourth wedding anniversary and their Royal life looks very different to what it did on their big day.
It’s been an unusual few years for the Royal couple since their marriage on May 19, 2018 – and not without its controversy.
Having had two children Archie and Lilibet, the family now reside in California, making the decision to take an official step back as senior Royals.
In their first year of marriage, the couple used their Sussex Royal Instagram account to release a montage of new photos from their special day but every anniversary following it has been a much quieter affair.
They chose to step back as senior Royals in January 2020 with a plan to review the position a year on.
(Image: Getty Images)
However a year on, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex confirmed to Her Majesty The Queen that they would not be returning to Royal duties, instead stepping down permanently.
Since then, the couple have been working on deals with Netflix and Spotify so they were able to reach financial independence and have even been dubbed ‘reclusive’ as they adjust to normal life.
According to reports, this has meant Harry and Meghan have often changed friendship circles, with some alleging that Prince Harry has even cut contact with some of his former friends over the years.
So, as the pair celebrate their fourth anniversary, Daily Star looks into their A-list friendships and where they stand now.
Jack Whitehall
(Image: Getty Images)
Comedian Jack Whitehall claimed he has been banned from seeing the royal after he made a joke at the Royal Variety Performance, calling him ‘ginger nuts’.
Jack spends a lot of his time in Los Angeles, near Harry and Meghan and made the claim about being blacklisted at The London Palladium in March.
He performed there as part of his How To Survive The Summer Holidays tour alongside his mum Hilary, 59, and dad Michael, 81.
The year before Harry began dating Meghan, Jack joked at the Royal Variety about being Harry’s ‘Royal wingman’ but he didn’t even earn an invite to Harry’s wedding and alleges they’ve not spoken since.
Usain Bolt
(Image: AFP/Getty Images)
Usain Bolt has always said he would still like to be in touch with the Royal couple.
At one point, the sportsman was extremely close with Harry, even saying he hoped to organise the Prince’s stag do.
Yet in 2021, he admitted that Prince Harry hadn’t spoken to him since the wedding and was unsure of the reason as to why, saying: “I still would like to keep in contact”.
James Corden
(Image: The Late Late Show with James Corden /Youtube)
Both Prince Harry and Meghan have been spotted in videos with James Corden and with them living so close, it seemed a natural friendship.
Prince Harry held a memorable interview with the Late Late show host but a royal expert, Neil Sean went on to claim that the couple are now finding out ‘there are no friends in showbiz’.
The royal expert claimed that friendships like James’ cooled off due to wanting to appear at events like Prince William and Kate Middleton’s Earthshot Prize in the US.
In a YouTube video in January, Neil Sean said: “That’s one of the reasons I can tell Harry and Meghan as to why, of course, there’s not much sort of—shall we say—celebrity outpouring of love and kindness, even the likes of James Corden, who is a good pal from the Late Late Show in America.
“He, too, will want that invite to the Earthshot event. It’s as simple as that. There are no friends in showbiz.”
George Clooney
(Image: GETTY)
There’s been reports of dinner parties and even an Italian holiday shared by the couple.
They first became friends when they helped Meghan adjust to London life and have reportedly been close ever since.
Their friendship is said to have continued to blossom as Harry and Meghan now live among other A-listers with their neighbours being the likes of Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom.
Priyanka Chopra
(Image: Internet Unknown)
There were concerns that these friends had gone through a rocky patch – but Megan and Priyanka had been friends years before Prince Harry was on the scene.
Their relationship was reportedly a very close one but rumours did spread that the two were feuding after Meghan didn’t ask Priyanka to be a bridesmaid and didn’t attend her wedding to Nick Jonas.
Priyanka didn’t attend Meghan’s baby shower but when Priyanka was asked if the two were fighting, she laughed it off, saying: “no, it’s not true.”
Melissa McCarthy
(Image: PA)
The Duchess of Sussex and Melissa McCarthy are said to share a sweet friendship based on their want to help others.
The two worked together on Meghan’s 40th birthday initiative, titled “40×40” and supporting women who left the workforce during the pandemic.
McCarthy has said she is “impressed and inspired” by the Duchess and told Entertainment Tonight: “I love when someone chooses to lead their life the way they want to and give their children the life they want to give them.”
Serena Williams
(Image: Getty Images)
The tennis star has been one of the couple’s biggest supporters, speaking out when the couple have come under fierce criticism.
She first met Meghan back in 2010 and became friends a few years later, with Meghan describing the athlete as a “confidante” with the two sharing “endless ambition”.
Serena very openly defended Meghan and Harry when their interview with Oprah Winfrey aired, telling her social media followers that Meghan “teaches her every day what it means to be truly noble” and is a “selfless friend”.
The Beckhams
(Image: Owen Humphreys – WPA Pool/Getty Images)
David Beckham has often spoken out about his pride on seeing Prince Harry growing up and becoming a father.
Meghan has often been spotted in clothing designed by Victoria and in an interview, David stated: “We love him and he’s an amazing person. I’m proud to see him growing up as an individual and being that person that every father wants to be.”
However Prince Harry and Meghan didn’t attend Victoria and David’s son Brookyln’s wedding despite rumours that they were going to.
There were reports that the Beckham had to choose which royal couple to invite and while they went with Prince William and Kate Middleton, the Royal couple didn’t attend either.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
