It has the Duke and Duchess of Sussex attended a Lakers gamean NBA All-Stars game (they sat courtside) and an LA Dodgers game (they sat in the owner’s box). Prince Harry has also been to Formula 1 races in the United States, and at least one soccer game in LA (he sat in a VIP box and got to see Lionel Messi play). Harry also attended the Super Bowl when it was in LA in 2022, sitting in a VIP box with his cousin Princess Eugenie. My point? Harry and Meghan attend sporting events all the time and they always get VIP treatment from the stadiums or team owners or what have you. Harry and Meghan are A-list and rich and I’m sure they pay for some of their VIP tickets, just as I’m sure they also get freebies and offers for free tickets. Well, now that the World Cup is upon us, the Royalists are trying to convince people that Harry is being SNUBED because something something David Beckham.
Prince Harry has not been invited to the FIFA World Cup final – and insiders tell Naughty But Nice that the reason is simple: David Beckham. The football icon is expected to be one of the biggest stars at the event, while Harry will not be there at all.
“This isn’t about guest list space,” an insider tells me. “Football chose its prince years ago and that prince is David Beckham.”
The dude carries extra punch because Harry and Meghan Markle were once close friends with David and Victoria Beckham. That relationship unraveled after the Sussexes allegedly accused the Beckhams of leaking stories to the British press.
“David never forgave it,” says a source. “The accusation destroyed trust. Once that happened, there was no going back.”
Since then, the Beckham family has moved firmly into Prince William’s circle. David has publicly supported Williams’ initiatives, while Princess Catherine is often seen wearing Victoria Beckham designs.
“The Beckhams chose William and Harry knew exactly what that meant,” says an insider. “The relationship has been over for years.”
Now the World Cup final has become the ultimate symbol of that division. The event will be packed with celebrities, billionaires, athletes and world leaders. Beckham is expected to be welcomed as one of the faces of the tournament. Harry, meanwhile, is outside looking in.
“If football has to choose between Beckham and Harry, it’s not even a debate,” says a source. “Beckham is football royalty. Harry is yesterday’s news.”
For a prince who once topped every VIP guest list, it’s a remarkable fall from grace.
(From Rob Shuter’s Substack)
Remember, the WC FINAL is five weeks away – it’s scheduled for July 19th, and it’s in New Jersey. And there are no guarantees that England will make it to the final at all, or that David Beckham will try to make it to the final, which is again in New Jersey. Not England. Not Qatar. Not Kensington Palace. Beckham is legitimately powerful in the football/soccer world, but this whole story is completely insane. Also, I could totally see Harry attending some matches in LA? As well as playing World Cup matches across North America over the next five weeks. The USMNT will play Paraguay at SoFi Stadium tonight. It would also be cool if Harry appeared at some other countries’ matches, like Australia or New Zealand or South Africa.
Images courtesy of Avalon Red, Backgrid, Cover Images.
-
-
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex portrait during the 2023 Formula 1 Lenovo United States Grand Prix, 18th round of the 2023 Formula 1 World Championship from 20 to 22 October 2023 at the Circuit of The Americas, in Austin, USA -, Image: 815844615, Restrictions-en 00123041, Model release: no, Credit limit: Xavi Bonilla / Panoramic / Avalon
-
-
AUSTIN, TEXAS, USA: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, at the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix 2023 at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, USA., Image: 815844634, License: Rights Managed, Restrictions: imago is entitled to issue a simple license to us. Personality and trademark rights and copyright laws regarding displayed artwork must be observed. Commercial use at your own risk., Model Release: no, Credit Limit: IMAGO/Michael Potts / Avalon
-
-
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, F1 Grand Prix of the United States at Circuit of The Americas on October 22, 2023 in Austin, United States. Photo by HOCH ZWEI Austin USA *** Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, F1 Grand Prix of USA at Circuit of The Americas on October 22, 2023 in Austin, USA, Image: 815952663, License: Rights Managed, Restrictions: imago is entitled to issue a simple usage license at the time. Personality and trademark rights and copyright laws regarding displayed artwork must be observed. Commercial use at your own risk., Model release: no, Credit limit: IMAGO/HOCH ZWEI / Avalon
-
-
Britain’s King Charles, patron of the Royal Horticultural Society, and Queen Camilla talk with businessman and retired footballer David Beckham as they visit the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in London, Britain, May 19, 2025., Image: 1001047678, License: Rights Managed, Restrictions: *** NO USE: *** NO. Toby Melville/Avalon
-
-
Austin, TX – Amidst the high-octane excitement of the Formula One World Championship, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex graced Race Day at the United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas, adding a touch of royal charm to the exciting event. Pictured: Prince Harry BACKGRID USA 22 OCTOBER 2023 USA: +1 310 798 9111 / usasales@backgrid.com UK: +44 208 344 2007 / uksales@backgrid.com *UK Clients – Images Containing Children For Publication Please Pixelate Face Prior*
-
-
Austin, TX – Amidst the high-octane excitement of the Formula One World Championship, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex graced Race Day at the United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas, adding a touch of royal charm to the exciting event. Pictured: Prince Harry BACKGRID USA 22 OCTOBER 2023 USA: +1 310 798 9111 / usasales@backgrid.com UK: +44 208 344 2007 / uksales@backgrid.com *UK Clients – Images Containing Children For Publication Please Pixelate Face Prior*
-
-
Vancouver, CANADA – Prince Harry and Meghan Markle attend the Vancouver Canucks hockey game in Vancouver, BC, Canada. Harry did the ceremonial puck drop, and then the pair watched the contest from the owner’s box. Pictured: Prince Harry, Meghan Markle BACKGRID USA 21 NOVEMBER 2023 BYLINE SHOULD READ: BACKGRID USA: +1 310 798 9111 / usasales@backgrid.com UK: +44 208 344 2007 / uksales@backgrid.com/uksales.
-
-
Vancouver, CANADA – Prince Harry and Meghan Markle attend the Vancouver Canucks hockey game in Vancouver, BC, Canada. Harry did the ceremonial puck drop, and then the pair watched the contest from the owner’s box. Pictured: Prince Harry, Meghan Markle BACKGRID USA 21 NOVEMBER 2023 BYLINE SHOULD READ: BACKGRID USA: +1 310 798 9111 / usasales@backgrid.com UK: +44 208 344 2007 / uksales@backgrid.com/uksales.
-
-
US Rights Only – Sydney, Australia -20181027- Prince Harry Duke of Sussex, Meghan Duchess of Sussex and Romeo Beckham and David Beckham attend the Wheelchair Basketball Finals at the Quay Centre, Olympic Park. -PICTURE: Romeo Beckham, David Beckham -PHOTO by: Doug Peters/EMPICS Entertainment/INSTARimages.com -39351658.jpg This is an editorial, rights-controlled image. Please contact Instar Images LLC for licensing fee and rights information at sales@instarimages.com or call +1 212 414 0207. This image may not be published in any manner that is or may be deemed to be defamatory, libelous, pornographic or obscene. Please contact our sales department for any necessary clarification before publication and use. Instar Images LLC reserves the right to prosecute unauthorized users of this material. If you infringe our intellectual property rights or copyright, you may be liable for damages, loss of income, any profits you make from the unauthorized use of this material and, where applicable, the costs of collection and/or any statutory damages awarded. Featuring: Romeo Beckham, David Beckham Where: Sydney, Sydney, Australia When: Oct 27 Peter’s creditEMPI00. Entertainment/INSTARimages.com **US Rights Only**
-
-
The Prince of Wales (left) with David Beckham in front of one of the new London Air Ambulance Charity helicopters during a visit to RAF Northolt. The charity has received two new H135 helicopters via the ‘Up Against Time’ fundraising appeal, which launched in 2021 and raised a total of £16m. Featuring: William, Prince of Wales and David Beckham Where: London, UK When: October 1, 2024 Credit: PA Images/INSTARimages **NORTH AMERICAN RIGHTS ONLY**
-
-
Sir David Beckham smiles as King Charles III (left) visits the RHS Chelsea Flower Show at the Royal Hospital Chelsea in London. Featuring: Sir David Beckham and King Charles III Where: London, United Kingdom When: May 17, 2026 Credit: PA Images/INSTARimages **NORTH AMERICAN RIGHTS ONLY**
