How Prince Harry's clash with David Beckham unfolded at the Invictus Games

When David Beckham volunteered to lend a hand at the Invictus Games in Australia, he received a terse three-word reply from Prince Harry, according to reports.

Despite their previous close relationship that even saw the Beckhams extend hospitality to Meghan Markle before her wedding at their six-bedroom residence in Beverly Hills, the bond has since soured due to a series of misunderstandings and Beckham's continued good relations with Harry's conflicted family.

Royal expert Emily Andrews reflected on an especially charged encounter in 2018 between Harry and Beckham at the Invictus Games in Sydney.

Presumably, the prestigious Paralympic event for injured servicemen and servicewomen which was initiated by Harry in 2014 and was a major feature of the Sussexes' first Australian tour, should have been a happy occasion.

Yet upon reaching Sydney, rugby icon David was reportedly baffled as Harry seemed to be intentionally avoiding him. In her column for Woman, Emily cites a source telling her that: "Becks was personally invited and duly came, along with sons Cruz and Romeo. When he arrived in Sydney, he asked what Harry's schedule was so he could attend the same events."

Harry, upon discovering the situation, allegedly responded brusquely with: "What the f**k? He should be coming to support the games, not have his pictures taken with me."

An insider continued, recounting, "When we pointed out that having a picture of them together would be great for Invictus coverage, he then said he never wanted to be in a picture with him.", reports the Mirror.

"That then meant a ridiculous two-step to try and ensure that they were never pictured together", the source went on. The same source described an instance at the wheelchair basketball game where Beckham was seated with dignitaries, at a spot that initially had been reserved for Harry and Meghan.

"So a whole area on the other side of the court had to be cleared of spectators and filled with Australian military, so Harry and Meghan could sit there instead," revealed the source. The Royal cold-shouldering is suspected to have been caused perhaps due to the new Duchess' distaste for any potential rivalry from Victoria during her first Royal tour.

Subsequent speculation has indicated that falling out between the Sussexes and the Beckhams may have been triggered by Meghan suspecting them of leaking stories to the media.

In 2020, an insider informed The Sun: "Harry was very polite, but obviously it was a pretty awkward exchange and David was mortified. Inexplicably, [Meghan] feared Victoria was behind it - I mean, the idea that Victoria Beckham would be personally ringing journalists to give them a scoop is ridiculous - and spoke to Harry about it."

"Harry is very protective of Meghan, and decided to deal with the matter head-on, by directly contacting his good pal, David. He quickly put Harry right, and the two men agreed to move on - but it certainly made things awkward for a while."

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