WHEN David and Victoria Beckham learned their precious eldest son was socialising with Meghan Markle, how their hearts must have sunk.
This, after all, is a woman they .
A woman they went out of their way to look out for — and who turned her back on them the moment someone wealthier came along.
A woman who fell out with them after accusing of leaking stories about her.
The that , alongside docile husband , is befriending and his wife would, surely, have caused to shudder in horror.
Friends of David and Victoria were apparently stunned by The Sun’s revelations — confirmed overnight by Meghan’s most trusted US publication, People magazine — that Brooklyn had ’s .
Oh, to have been a fly on the wall at that 22-person gathering.
I’m told: “David and Victoria were blindsided by the news — they didn’t see it coming.
“Of course it’s a bit weird for them as they used to socialise with Meghan and Harry, and now is doing it.
“David has no problem with Harry and has always acted very graciously towards him — even after — and they still communicate occasionally.
‘Wouldn’t go nuclear’
“However, once burned . . .
“Naturally they therefore feel less warmly towards Meghan. They think she has acted truly awfully at times.
“The last thing they need is for her to be pouring bile into Brooklyn’s ear, telling him to cast his parents out, as she has done with her own dad.
“What was supposed to be a very private is rapidly escalating and obviously it’s incredibly .”;;
While the unlikely quartet are understood to have swapped phone numbers on the night, it is not known if they made any further plans to meet up.
Intriguingly, Meghan’s PR team appeared to confirm The Sun’s report, but were quick to distance themselves — perhaps to ensure they did not look like the source of the leaked original story.
The guidance was that the Peltz-Beckhams attended but were “not directly”;; invited by the former , rather by shared mutual acquaintances.
Friends of the younger couple also confirmed the story, praising Meghan and Harry’s “kindness and warmth”;;.
There has been no official comment from either side.
Of course it’s a bit weird for them as they used to socialise with Meghan and Harry, and now their boy is doing it
Sources who attended the dinner, arranged by the Paramount TV network, say the Peltz-Beckhams and Harkles “got on really well”;;.
Presumably another huge fear for Team Beckham is that Brooklyn “does a Harry”;; and writes an .
He may only be 26, but Brooklyn has lived an extraordinarily privileged life and has seen the A-list circuit first-hand.
was a Sunday Times bestseller and, well, unsparing in its criticism of certain members of the .
I’m told, though, that an auto-biography “is not on Brooklyn’s radar, even though it would have some incredibly juicy chapters”;;.
A source added: “It just isn’t his style — he would never do that to his family.
“He still loves and cherishes them and is desperate for reconciliation. He wouldn’t go nuclear like Harry and write a tell-all tome.”;;
campaigner, Nicola’s billionaire tycoon dad is friends with .
However, his daughter has made it known she is not political. Our insider says she does not socialise with in “any way, shape or form, and there was no political conflict whatsoever”;; on the night.
Meghan was instead “kind”;; to Transformers actress Nicola, sympathising over her media portrayal as a home-wrecker — something the Peltz-Beckhams are said to be infuriated by.
However, one person Meghan was famously less kind to is Nicola’s mother-in-law Victoria.
The -turned-designer was, slightly unbelievably, to The Sun in 2017. It came after Victoria, 51, recommended a series of beauty experts for the former star to use during a trip to .
When details of her suggestions were printed, Meghan went ballistic, .
She to broach the subject.
Naturally, David was seething on his wife’s behalf.
Says a source eight years on: “I mean, the notion Victoria Beckham — one of the planet’s most famous and influential women — would be cold-calling The Sun and giving them a scoop is utterly preposterous.
“It would have been funny had Meghan not made Prince Harry, fifth in line to the British throne, call up David and effectively bollock him.
David and Victoria have seen the other side to Meghan and have learned their lesson. They hope anything Nicola or Brooklyn said in private won’t be used against them
Source
“It was an excruciating call, as you can imagine, but David was incredibly sanguine and gentle in response.
“He did not rise to the bait but, privately, it was the beginning of the end of relations. The trust had gone.
“Meghan went on to ask Victoria for some — a report denied by the Palace — and so she did end up paying and wearing some of .
“And let’s not forget the Beckhams loaned Meghan and Harry their when they started going out to help them avoid the paparazzi. They didn’t pay a penny, and DVB covered the cost of everything, including security.”;;
The couple then went on to upgrade from the Beckhams, borrowing the £18million, 12-bathroom Beverly Hills pad of producer after leaving the UK five years ago.
Our source continues: “David and Victoria have seen the other side to Meghan and have learned their lesson. They hope anything Nicola or Brooklyn said in private won’t be used against them.”;;
‘Social butterfly’
Although they were still invited to , Meghan reportedly decided to “punish”;; the Beckhams by not inviting them to the evening reception.
To rub salt into the wound, and Amal Clooney — — were present.
Harry also snubbed David at the 2018 , supposedly at the behest of Meghan.
Another of the guests at the recent dinner party, meanwhile, was Paramount boss Brian Robbins.
He has become close to Meghan and Harry, and much of the evening was seen as a “networking event”;;, another source adds.
With her deal hanging by a thread, some believe she is desperate to land a seven-figure contract with Paramount.
A source adds: “Brian adores Meghan and naturally will listen to any great ideas or formats she has.
“Meghan is a consummate social butterfly and was on great form, working the room.
“And while she may have been hard work in the past, she has been deeply humbled by the past two years and is a lot warmer and kinder nowadays. People don’t always know that.
“Brian, for his part, was also impressed with Nicola, and they had a decent chat.”;;
David used to be really close to Harry but has gravitated towards William now
Insider
This latest transatlantic twist to the Beckham tale comes days after appeared to express her support for David and Victoria.
The Princess of Wales — something pals believe was a “deliberate marker”;;.
She paid for the suit herself and did not ask for a freebie, I’m told.
An insider adds: “Kate knew exactly what she was doing when she wore the suit.
“She knows her every sartorial choice is forensically analysed and dissected by both the media and fans online.
“She’s a smart woman and compassionate to what Victoria, as a mother, is going through.
“David used to be really close to Harry but has .
“They are good mates and William adores David, and credits him for helping him navigate fame.
“He has become a pseudo big brother figure and William has been reading about the similarities between David’s situation and that of his brother with Meghan.”;;
Certainly, though, the Duchess has form when it comes to alienating her inner circle.
As well as working her way through numerous staff, with reports suggesting she — accusations she vehemently denies — she has cast off her dad, , livid that he spoke to the media about her behaviour.
(This despite the fact she , while Harry himself recently enjoyed a much-criticised .)
In reality, those exiled from Meghan’s staff form an exclusive club — albeit one nobody would wish to be a member of.
The Sussex Survivors Club was formed by members reportedly united in their “trauma”;; of working with the couple.
Some were even alleged to have been diagnosed with .
While Victoria Beckham may not be a member, she certainly has cause to be cautious of her one-time pal.
Whatever happens now, one thing is for certain — the heartbreaking Beckham family feud does not appear to be ending any day soon.
