5 Harry and Meghan Allies Who Switched Sides and 'Picked' the Royal Family

Friendships are rarely simple, but they become infinitely more complex when set against the backdrop of a royal family feud. The ongoing rift between Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, and the monarchy is a prime example. Since the Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped back from official duties in 2020, a number of their high-profile friends and former allies have continued to strengthen ties with King Charles, Prince William, and other senior royals. With Hollywood icon Idris Elba among the latest to make headlines for doing so, here are five prominent figures who seem to have 'picked' the Palace over Montecito.

Actor Idris Elba was one of the star guests at Harry and Meghan's 2018 wedding. He also made headlines for being the DJ at their reception. As he spoke to BBC Radio 1Xtra in 2022, Elba revealed he played the track Still by Dr. Dre, because "it was Meghan's choice." Yet in recent years, his royal connections have increasingly centered on King Charles. Having benefited from The Prince’s Trust as a teenager, Elba has long maintained a close relationship with the King’s flagship charity. Their enduring connection was recently cemented at Windsor Castle, where King Charles III bestowed a knighthood upon the actor. The duo is now poised to take their partnership a step further, collaborating on an upcoming Netflix documentary that explores the Trust’s profound impact over the past

Speaking of the most famous guests, the Sussex wedding in 2018 also included George and Amal Clooney. They also reportedly hosted Harry and Markle at both their Berkshire home and Lake Como retreat. Later, George even told the Daily Mail in 2019, "They're just really nice, fun, kind people, they're a very loving couple." However, the couple has become increasingly visible supporters of King Charles since then. They have been spotted attending events for The King's Trust and, most recently, stood by the monarch at a high-profile Buckingham Palace reception in June 2025. It was telling of the fact that their royal connections now extend well beyond the Sussexes.

David and Victoria Beckham were also once considered close to Harry and Markle. They, like the Clooneys and Idris Elba, attended their Windsor wedding. But reports of tensions took center stage after claims that the Sussexes suspected the Beckhams of leaking stories to the press. Since then, David's relationship with the royal family has flourished even more. He eventually became an ambassador for The King's Foundation and was awarded a knighthood during King Charles's Birthday Honors. Once, while talking about Charles, Beckham said, "Our King is an incredible man," adding that his family would be proud of his royal work.

As godfather to both Prince George and Prince Archie, the Duke of Westminster occupies a rare, shared space in the lives of the Wales and Sussex families. Though Hugh Grosvenor was once incredibly close to both estranged brothers, his ties to Prince William have taken center stage in recent years. Notably, Prince Harry was absent from Grosvenor’s 2024 wedding to Olivia Henson, following a mutual agreement that his attendance would risk overshadowing the big day. More recently, William and Hugh were spotted cheering on Aston Villa together, leaving little doubt about where the Duke’s most visible royal allegiance now lies.

Designer Misha Nonoo once played a very important role in Meghan's life. She was largely responsible for introducing her to Prince Harry and later for collaborating with her on charitable projects. Yet, her recent appearances have fueled speculation that she maintains strong ties on both sides of the royal divide. During the Royal Ascot in June 2025, Nonoo was spotted chatting with Princess Eugenie and Zara Tindall while taking selfies with royal guests. While she continues to be one of Meghan's oldest friends, her continued presence at royal events suggests she has managed to preserve important relationships within the wider Royal folds as well.