So what’s next for Harry and Meghan in Hollywood? Royals ‘befriend actor John Travolta’ as couple make new chums after spat with Posh and Becks – and expert claims nobody wants to be associated with the ‘melodramatic’ couple
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are said to have befriended Scientologist and movie star John Travolta amid claims of a bitter spat with the Beckhams, it was reported last night, as experts claimed celebs are keen to distance themselves from the ‘melodramatic’ Sussexes.
The Duke and Duchess reportedly spent time with the Grease and Pulp Fiction star at a bash at The Beverley Hills Hotel in Los Angeles, where they socialised at its exclusive Polo Lounge.
An insider told the Sun that although there is no suggestion Harry and Meghan are interested in Scientology, the three ‘got on extremely well’ at the event for the Archewell foundation.
It is not the first time Travolta has come face to face with royalty, having danced with Harry’s mother Princess Diana at the White House in 1985.
It follows reports the Sussexes have fallen out with David and Victoria Beckham, who attended their glamorous wedding in 2018, over fears that the celebrity couple allegedly leaked stories about them.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are understood to have befriended scientologist and movie star John Travolta
John Travolta, who has starred in Grease and Pulp Fiction, is a well-known Scientologist
Harry and Meghan could be looking to expand their inner circle in Hollywood as they leave their British past even further behind them.
They are well-known to be close friends with Oprah Winfrey and Victoria Jackson – as well as Ellen DeGeneres and her wife Portia de Rossi.
The Duchess is even said to have spent her birthday on Friday going to see Barbie with Portia and a couple of other friends. But these friends did not include Posh, as it was reported their friendship had waned, with the Sussexes not being invited to Brooklyn Beckham’s wedding in April 2022, despite inviting the footballing couple to their own wedding in 2018.
There was reportedly a suspicion that the Beckhams may have leaked stories about the Sussexes, an accusation The Mail on Sunday was told left David ‘absolutely bloody furious’.
A source close to the Beckhams said: ‘David and Victoria went to Meghan and Harry’s wedding and were very supportive when Meghan arrived in the UK.’
The couples bonded because Izzy May, David Beckham’s communications director, was friends with Markus Anderson, chief membership officer for private social club Soho House, who helped arrange Meghan’s secret dates with Harry.
But the accusations, which The Mail on Sunday has been told came in a tense phone call, fractured the Beckham friendship. The source added: ‘Any making up now is so unlikely.’
Reports emerged in the Sun that Harry, 38, had confronted the ex-England captain, suggesting he or his wife, Victoria, were responsible for leaks about himself and Meghan.
The couple have reportedly remained distanced ever since.
Travolta previously danced with Harry’s wife Princess Diana at the White House in 1985
David and Victoria Beckham were guests at Meghan’s wedding to Prince Harry at Windsor in 2018 (pictured)
Meghan’s 42nd birthday on Friday was met with a deafening silence from the rest of the royal family
Losing the Beckhams could cause problematic for Harry and Meghan as experts in the US explain celebrities are keen to distance themselves from the ‘melodramatic’ and ‘untrustworthy’ couple.
Celebrity publicist Mitchell Jackson told the Times: ‘The problem with Harry and Meghan is after the whole car chase thing in New York, people just feel like they’re untrustworthy and melodramatic and it’s just going to revolve around them.’
American producer and journalist Paula Froelich added that celebrities do not want to endanger their chances of international success by appearing to ‘pick sides’ in the royal feud.
Citing the number of celebrities who have ambitions of conquering both the UK and US box offices with films or plays, she said: ‘Nobody wants to be seen as taking sides and nobody wants to be seen as friends of Harry and Meghan.
‘Because then it’s felt that Kate and William will likely not show up’.
Ms Froelich explained that the Prince and Princess of Wales’ ability to draw international coverage means most Hollywood stars hope they will attend a premiere in London.
Having previously signed major multi-million pound deals with giants Netflix and Spotify, as well as Harry’s book deal, the couple has since faced hurdles including the loss of the Spotify partnership.
Meghan hosted a series of her Archetype podcast on the platform, where she interviewed friends such as Serena Williams, but it has not been renewed by the streaming service and the couple announced in June they had ‘mutually’ agreed to part ways.
It is not just friends who appear to be shunning the couple more frequently, as Meghan’s birthday was met with a deafening silence from the rest of the royal family.
Royal watchers will doubtless view it as evidence of the even more strained relations between the Sussexes and Harry’s brother William, sister-in-law Kate, father Charles and stepmother Camilla in recent months.
But royal aides claimed they only mark the birthdays of working members of the Royal Family on their official social media accounts.
However on August 4 last year, William and Kate sent a message to Meghan on Twitter from their official account, saying: ‘Wishing a happy birthday to the Duchess of Sussex!’
Their message, posted at 9.01am British time, also featured a photograph of Meghan in a white outfit and hat taken during her visit to the UK a few months earlier for Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
Charles, then the Prince of Wales, and Camilla, then the Duchess of Cornwall, also sent a message marking Meghan’s 41st on Twitter last year, writing ‘Happy Birthday to The Duchess of Sussex!’ with a red balloon emoji.
MailOnline has contacted representatives for Travolta and the Duke and Duchess for comment.