It’s not often the Sussexes extend olive branches, but it seems Meghan Markle did just that recently by stepping out with a bag designed by her former friend Victoria Beckham. Meghan was seen with the black leather VB chain-pouch bag as she attended the launch of haircare line Highbrow Hippie in California – just three months after she wore a silk shirt by the designer.
Her sartorial choice has been taken as a not-so-subtle sign that she may trying to reconcile with Victoria after she and Prince Harry fell out with the Beckhams in 2018. The once-close couples drifted apart, with reports that Meghan, 43, had accused Vic, 50, of leaking stories about her and Harry to the press. Royal biographer Tom Bower claimed Meghan was left ‘outraged’ when her beauty regime ended up in British tabloids, after Victoria had offered advice on facials and hairdressers in London.
In his book The House Of Beckham: Money, Sex And Power, he wrote that it was only after a tabloid reported how ‘Victoria had given Meghan make-up advice’ that the relationship between ‘the two ambitious women’ crashed.
Since then, the Beckhams seemed to have switched royal sides by strengthening their ties with Prince William and Kate Middleton. But now a source tells heat Meghan believes it’s vital to have the couple back on their side – especially since so many of their A-list friends seem to have distanced themselves from the Sussexes.
‘Meghan’s desperate to get back on-side with Vic, and is convinced that once she and Harry buddy up with the Beckhams, it will help repair their credibility and A-list status. In Meghan’s eyes, they need a power couple like Victoria and David in their corner, not just because of their global status, but because of their influential friendship circle – the Beckhams are pally with Hollywood actors, sports stars and some of the world’s biggest musicians. Meghan's decision to be seen with a VB bag was very much a plea to Vic. Meghan hopes that publicising the brand in the US will help get Victoria back on side.’
The source adds that Meghan is in ‘panic mode’ as her and Harry’s star continues to wane in the States. Embarrassingly, the couple were named as two of 2023’s ‘biggest losers’ by the Hollywood Reporter and are said to fear there’s nobody left on their side in the LA scene. Our source adds, ‘She’s on a mission to do whatever it takes to win Vic over – even if it means acting as an unofficial brand ambassador.’
Of course, the Beckhams don’t only have weight in the US, but also in the UK, where David, 49, has been moving in royal circles. And as the Beckhams continue to side with the Waleses – with former footballer David personally helping William raise money for charity, and their eldest son Brooklyn giving him a shoutout as ‘the sweetest guy ever’ during a recent interview – Meghan is also looking elsewhere for celebrity support in Harry’s homeland.
We’re told that, in a surprise move, she’s hoping to befriend TV star Holly Willoughby, and hopes that them both owning holiday homes in Portugal will give them the chance to connect. Our source reveals, ‘Meghan sees how popular Holly is in the UK and thinks building a friendship could really help her. The fact that they’ve just bought a place in Portugal and that Holly is thinking about a US career mean it’s perfect timing to reach out.’
The Sussexes are believed to have purchased a £3.6million villa in the south of the country as a back-up plan, as newly re-elected US president Donald Trump has previously threatened to kick Harry out of the US. And mum-of-three Holly – who’s been tipped for big things in America thanks to hosting Bear Grylls’ new show Bear Hunt on Netflix – owns a villa in the Algarve.
‘They didn’t choose to buy a place in Portugal randomly,’ says the insider. ‘It’s the preferred bolthole of a lot of Harry’s old school chums and a useful place for Meghan to forge European connections away from the glare of the media,’ we’re told. ‘She sees Holly as an inspiration. She admires her work and, after meeting her a couple of times, she’d like for them to be closer.’
Harry, 40, is also said to be fond of the presenter and her TV producer-husband Dan Baldwin. ‘Harry has partied at many of the same events as Holly and Dan and they share a few of mutual friends,’ the source says. ‘Holly and Dan would absolutely accept an invitation to hang out with Harry and Meghan and would be happy to show them some fun spots in Portugal. Holly empathises with Meghan and feels she’s had a rough time – after all, she’s still a mother and wife doing her job under the spotlight of permanent scrutiny.’
Holly, 43, has shown herself to be a fan of Meghan’s over the years, previously defending her on This Morning as she clashed with royal expert Camilla Tominey back in 2022. When Camilla suggested Harry and Meghan hadn’t been treated differently to William and Kate by the British tabloids, Holly hit back, ‘I do remember there were comparisons at the time between how Kate was being treated and how she was being. There was quite a difference there.’
And our source adds that Holly hopes that gaining the trust of former Suits actress Meghan could help her career, too. We’re told, ‘With lucrative gigs in the US on the cards, Holly would love to have more connections in America. And, of course, an exclusive sit-down interview with Meghan would be a huge win for her, too.’