Victoria Beckham takes ‘ultimate revenge’ on Meghan Markle amid bitter rift

MEGHAN Markle may be hoping her jams don’t leave her in as sticky a situation as her Netflix documentary.

The Sussexes’ Netflix show has tailed off in popularity and has been eclipsed by former friends Victoria and David Beckham, according to new figures last week.

The Beckhams’ documentary – released last October – had 208.5million hours watched in 2023. 

Meanwhile, Harry & Meghan had 72.9million hours watched during the year, although their show was released the year before and it’s normal for show views to decline over time.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s Netflix series was an instant hit when it debuted on December 2022.

The show was so popular that it was Netflix’s biggest debut at the time, with 81.6million hours viewed in the first four days.

However, it seems the initial furore quickly died down.

This could have been due to fans hoping for royal insight in the show, but instead being frustrated at the couple being “whiny”, as some stated.

Meanwhile, other viewers slammed Meghan for “mocking” having to curtsy to the late-Queen.

In comparison, fans praised David for sharing honestly about his career and a number of comical family life scenes went viral.

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. 

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.

Last December, David and Victoria were pictured with former US president Barack Obama at a charitable event.

A source told Closer: “It’s another humiliating slap in the face. The Obamas were Meghan’s dream ticket to political success and she put a lot of work into building on their relationship.”

However, it is thought that Barack and Michelle took a “step back” from the couple out of respect for the late Queen.

We shared how Meghan is set to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Gwyneth Paltrow and Victoria Beckham with the launch of her lifestyle brand American Riviera Orchard.

But experts have warned that the business could flop – and according to one brand expert this would be the ultimate revenge for Victoria.

 Denise Palmer-Davies, Brand expert and Director at Borne Media, said: “It is a difficult market to crack – even Victoria has had her obstacles – as it is so saturated.

“But given their fall out, the sceptic in me wonders if she’d be secretly pleased if it did backfire. That would be the ultimate revenge wouldn’t it?”

Since the Beckhams have appeared to further distance themselves from the Sussexes, a royal expert has claimed the move has strengthened David’s friendship with Prince William and the King. 

Sarah Hewson, royal editor of Talk TV, said: “Perhaps by distancing himself from Harry and Meghan, it has helped David cement his relationships with William and the King. 

“I think David has made it very clear whose side he is on. David is a self proclaimed royalist.

“He queued for 12 hours to see the Queen lying in State and he has worked with the royals on several charitable campaigns.”

Evidence of David’s close ties with King Charles have been seen this week, with the former footballer being made a charity ambassador by King Charles — giving his knighthood credentials a boost.

Ex-Manchester United ace Becks, 49, surprised the King, 75, last year with a jar of his homemade honey then chatted about their passion for beekeeping.

Nature-lover Charles was also impressed by Beckham’s knowledge and passion for the countryside.

Now the father-of-four has been ­formally appointed as an ambassador of The King’s Foundation — the monarch’s charity founded in 1990.

A source said: “The King and David Beckham have really bonded over their similar interests.

“This is a massive thing for him and he’s delighted. He is really passionate about his new role.”