She was said to be ‘furious’ with the Beckhams for posting a photo online of her daughter Reiley, six, at Harper’s birthday party.
And Stella McCartney, 45, seemed to be reliving the furore on Friday, as she arrived at Wimbledon looking decidedly stony-faced.
The celebrated fashion designer – who is notoriously private about her family life – turned up in a sharp suit with her husband Alasdhair Willis.
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Not impressed? Stella McCartney, 45, arrived at Wimbledon looking decidedly stony-faced
The mother-of-four kept her head down as she strode into the grounds on day 11 of the championship.
She looked typically fashion forward as she rocked an androgynous white tuxedo blazer slung over a simple white T-shirt.
She completed the look with black high-waisted trousers and understated mid-heel courts.
The daughter of musical legend Paul McCartney stayed close to her husband of 14 years Alisdhair, who looked dapper in a cream suit.
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Rumour has it: She was said to be ‘furious’ with the Beckhams for posting a photo online of her daughter Reiley, six, at Harper’s birthday party
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Feeling glum? The mother-of-four kept her head down as she strode into the grounds on day 11 of the championship
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Strong couple: The celebrated fashion designer – who is notoriously private about her family life – as she turned up in a sharp suit with her husband Alasdhair Willis
The Beckhams caused a stir by posting snaps of Harper, six, enjoying a tea party at Buckingham Palace.
And Stella was said to be ‘furious’ with Victoria and David for sharing a picture of her daughter Reiley Willis posing alongside Harper and her schoolfriends at the tea party, hosted by Prince Andrew and his ex-wife, the Duchess of York.
The fashion designer, who likes to keep her six-year-old daughter out of the spotlight is ‘spitting feathers’ after the snapshot went viral, according to The Sun.
A source close to Stella told the paper: ‘Stella is spitting feathers about it because she always tries to keep her kids out of the public eye and never posts about them on her own social media accounts.
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Chic: She looked typically fashion forward as she rocked an androgynous white tuxedo blazer slung over a simple white T-shirt
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Staying close: The daughter of musical legend Paul McCartney walked alongside her husband of 14 years Alisdhair, who looked dapper in a cream suit
‘She is especially furious because she has an OBE and has nothing but respect for the royal family. She hoped no-one would notice it was Reiley and has outlined the rules to her staff.’
Reiley, who mum-of-four Stella, 45, raises with publisher Alasdhair Willis, is close friends with Harper after meeting via their fashion designer mums.
The pair first became friends after David hired Stella’s husband Alasdhair as a style consultant in 2010 following his move to LA Galaxy.
MailOnline has contacted Stella and the Beckhams representatives for comment.
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Furious: Stella McCartney is said to be furious with Victoria and David Beckham for sharing a picture of her daughter Reiley Willis posing alongside Harper and her schoolfriends at the tea party, hosted by Prince Andrew
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Where it all began: The fashion designer, who likes to keep her six-year-old daughter out of the spotlight, is ‘spitting feathers’ after the snapshot went viral
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That’s some party venue: Harper holds her balloon at Buckingham Palace. her parents shared the snaps on Instagram on Monday as they wished her a happy sixth birthday, but denied the visit was for the milestone
The only daughter of David and Victoria was last week treated to an exclusive tea party with a group of friends at Buckingham Palace.
Harper, who celebrated her sixth birthday yesterday, even got to meet a real life princess … the Queen’s grand-daughter, Princess Eugenie.
The little girl also dressed like royalty for the occasion – in a blue gown like her heroine Princess Elsa from the hit Disney film Frozen.
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Something to say: David later shared another post in which he defended the special party, saying ‘this wasn’t the palace opening the gates for Harper’s birthday party’
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Proud: David shared another snap of himself cuddling his daughter, who was wearing a cream lace dress after seemingly getting changed
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Among other Instagram tributes from the family, her brother Cruz wrote: ‘Dear Harper I can’t believe it has been already 6 years yoyo are such a big girl so to the best sister in the world I love you so much have a amazing day’
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She’s so loved: Her eldest brother Brooklyn shared this picture, posting: ‘Happy birthday to my little sister. Love you so much’
Details of the supposedly ‘private’ tea party were shrouded in secrecy until yesterday morning, when both David and Victoria Beckham decided to treat their combined 55million followers on Instagram to a series of photographs to mark Harper’s birthday.
The ‘indiscreet’ publication of the pictures – showing the youngster enjoying the run of the royal residence – caused frustration at the Palace. One image was taken by the former footballer inside Andrew’s private office with Princess Eugenie, it is understood.
Eugenie, 27, who is eighth in line to the throne, can be seen kneeling down with her arms around two of Harper’s five friends.
Underneath the picture, David wrote: ‘Lucky Harper meeting a real life princess at the Palace x.’
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The Duchess of York is no stranger to controversy, after she was secretly filmed offering to sell access of Prince Andrew for £500,000
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Sweet: Harper’s mother, Victoria, also shared a Snapchat which showed the enormous pile of presents her daughter received (left)
Something to say: Some comments were not quite as favourable
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Gorgeous: While Romeo shared another sweet snap, writing: ‘Happy birthday to the best sister in the world!!!!!! I hope you have an amazing day. I love you so much’
A third photograph shows Harper on her own, holding a red balloon in the Palace’s central quadrangle, with the message from mother Victoria: ‘Our little birthday princess x Kisses.’
As the pictures went viral – being viewed several million times within hours – both the Beckhams and Buckingham Palace came under fire online. One critic wrote: ‘If you have enough money you can buy anything!!’
Another said: ‘Is this a new commercial venture by the Royal Family or do all little princesses now get an invite?’
Royal author Robert Jobson last night warned that Buckingham Palace should not be seen as a ‘party venue for millionaires’, particularly when the Queen is about to receive £370million of public money for a top-to-toe refit.
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Sweet: The boys all helped to put a doll’s house together for their youngest sibling
Harper Beckham frolics through field as dad proudly films
Well wishers: Lots of fans wrote kind messages alongside the latest posts
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‘Happy birthday baby girl’: Victoria, 43, had taken to Instagram to document the celebrations that took place ahead of her daughter Harper’s sixth birthday on Monday
He said: ‘It seems odd to me that if you have the money or connections then the Palace – a building funded by the British taxpayer –can be used in this way for a selected few. If it is just for the rich and famous it is simply not right.
‘The Palace is the venue for glittering state occasions but when it is used – or misused like this – surely the public is entitled to know how it came about, who organised it, was money paid and why it is only open to rich and famous ex-footballers.’
The sports star yesterday posted a further picture of himself and Harper at the Palace, this time with his mother Sandra.
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Family day: The fashion designer shared a group shot of herself, David and their loved ones as they got together to mark Harper’s special day
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‘Posh Spice or Dawn French?’: Victoria revealed she and her footballer beau had been trying out their cake decorating skills, but appeared to mock David’s efforts with her fans
First time rider! David Beckham takes daughter cycling
He wrote: ‘One last picture of the birthday girl … Just to be clear this wasn’t the Palace opening the gates for Harper’s birthday party, this was a tea party where us and other guests were invited, so it was a beautiful thing to do with my mum, Harper plus a few school friends… We were honored [sic] to be able to [be] there…’
Asked to explain why the tea party was held, a Buckingham Palace spokesman confirmed the ‘private’ event.
He said: ‘From time to time members of the Royal Family who reside at royal residences invite guests to visit privately.’
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‘Mums had a little too many Pimms!’: David, meanwhile, suggested everybody had been in high spirits at the bash as he poked fun at his mother Sandra
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Loving life: It’s not the first time the Beckhams have been at the palace. Victoria received an OBE for her contribution to fashion from the Duke of Cambridge back in April
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Proud moment: Victoria’s husband-of-17-years David received his OBE at Buckingham Palace in 2003 for services to football, with Victoria by his side
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Lovely: Sources close to the family told MailOnline before Christmas that Victoria, 42, was ‘delighted and humbled for the recognition’ when she picked up her gong
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Close: Meanwhile, in an interview with Esquire magazine back in 2012, David said that he now counts Princes William and Harry as friends – pictured in 2010
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VIP invite: David and Victoria arriving at Westminster Abbey for the wedding of Prince William to Kate Middleton, in London, UK on April 29, 2011
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Ode: The famous family also nicknamed their former £10million Hertfordshire residence ‘Beckingham palace,’ before putting it up for sale in 2013
A royal source added: ‘Any costs in terms of refreshments were covered [by Andrew] privately.’
It is understood that both Andrew and his former wife, the Duchess of York, were at the party.
Sources close to the Duchess of York insisted it was a ‘family’ event, with the invitation being extended by the whole of the York family.
‘Members of the Royal Family often invite friends for tea at the palace and the Beckhams are family friends. This was a treat for Harper and some of her friends,’ the source said.
However, they admitted that the Beckhams’ decision to publish photos had not gone down well.
‘It was very indiscreet for them to have posted pictures on a public forum of what was a private family event,’ they said.
