Both Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have cut ties with many friends and family members in recent years

This is not the first report of strained relationships between Harry and his close friends (Image: Getty)

Ever since their bombshell decision to step back from Royal duties, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have reportedly severed ties with a host of friends and family members.

Royal insiders claim that the Duke of Sussex has particularly felt the distance from his once-close circle of UK pals after moving across the pond, with one top Royal commentator shedding light on the personal cost of his move.

Speaking exclusively to OK! Magazing , former BBC Royal correspondent Jennie Bond remarked: “I think we can say that it must be tough for Harry to have lost touch with virtually all his old circle of friends as well as his family.”

She further noted: “But we must assume that he feels that sacrifice is worth it for the life he now has with the woman he loves and the children he adores.”

The couple were the subject of Tom Bower’s 2022 book Revenge: Meghan, Harry and the War between the Windsors (Image: Getty)

These insights follow statements by Royal author Tom Quinn to The Mirror, where he suggested: “Harry on the other hand is increasingly bored and looking back across the Atlantic where most of his army and school friends still live and whom he never sees because they won’t visit him in the States because they find Meghan difficult.”

This narrative of Harry’s strained friendships isn’t new, as investigative journalist Tom Bower also touched upon the subject in his 2022 expose, Revenge: Meghan, Harry and the War between the Windsors, reports OK!.

In a new book, the author reveals that Prince Harry’s friends thought he was “absolutely bonkers” for dating Meghan Markle after she challenged their views with her progressive values. The author, who spoke to 80 sources close to the couple, shares an anecdote about a weekend at Sandringham where Harry invited 16 of his old Eton pals for dinner, shooting and lunch.

Point de Vue OutMandatory Credit: Photo by REX/Shutterstock (14100482xt)Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex during day 6 of Invictus Games 2023 at the Merkur Spiel-Arena in Dusseldorf.Invictus Games 2023, day 6, Dusseldorf, Germany – 15 Sept 2023 (Image: REX/Shutterstock)

However, the gathering left everyone drained after meeting Meghan for the first time as she “challenged every guest who contravened her woke values”. The author claims that Meghan “lacked any sense of humour” and put a damper on the festivities.

The author writes: “He had not anticipated Meghan’s reaction. Their jokes, involving sexism, feminism and transgender people, ricocheted around the living-rooms and dining-rooms. Without hesitation, Meghan challenged every guest whose conversation contravened her values.”

“She lacked any sense of humour. Driving home after Sunday lunch, the texts pinged between the cars: ‘OMG, what about HER? ‘ said one. ‘Harry must be absolutely bonkers’.”