Prince Harry banished his best friend Tom “Skippy” Inskip from his tight-knit group after he advised the royal against marrying Meghan Markle, according to Tatler.
The Duke of Sussex, 34, is said to have “frozen out” a number of his former inner circle after marrying the actress, The Sun reports.
It was initially thought Prince Harry was distancing himself from the party-loving group to remove “temptation”.
However, according to the May issue of Tatler, the separation could be down to a rift between Prince Harry and loyal Skippy after his warning about Meghan.
Meghan has reportedly encouraged Harry to pull back on some of his friendships.
The article says: “Hang out with the Clooney/Beckham/Soho House set and be assailed for being too Hollywood, for forcing your henpecked husband to abandon his old, country-set muckers – including Tom “Skippy” Inskip, the ultraloyal, tight-lipped Harry pal who, it’s said, advised Harry not to marry Meghan and has paid the price: banishment.”
Tatler also claims Prince William, 36, “advised (his brother) against rushing into marriage”.
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Skippy was one of the friends at the infamous Las Vegas night in 2012, where Prince Harry was caught playing naked billiards with showgirls in a hotel suite.
The banker has been a close friend of Prince Harry after they met at Eton, and they have been inseparable ever since.
Prince Harry had a key role at Skippy’s wedding in Jamaica in 2017, which was one of Meghan’s first appearances with the royal.
But the Express reported how his “tomfoolery” had no place in the world of “fruit smoothies” and “early nights” that Meghan is an advocate of.
Tom Inskip arrives at St George’s Chapel before the wedding of Prince Harry to Meghan Markle.
Another friend who Prince Harry has distanced from his life is said to be PR guru Astrid Harbord who attended Kate’s hen’s do and was close to the prince after he split up from long-term girlfriend Chelsy Davy.
According to the Express, Meghan’s “core of steel” has led to “mutterings from some of Prince Harry’s racier chums who have been miffed at being excluded from the royal couple’s cosy gatherings”.
A friend is said to have told the publication: “Like several others who were considered a questionable influence on Harry during his bad old bachelor days, Tom has been dropped, even though he himself now has a lovely wife, Lara.
“It’s all part of Meghan’s quiet airbrushing out of Harry’s old posse. She doesn’t want temptation — of any sort — being put in his way while they concentrate on starting a family.”
Ambitious Meghan has also earned herself the nickname “Me-Gain” at Kensington Palace due to rubbing staff up the wrong way, according to the publication.
The pregnant Duchess of Sussex, 37, has allegedly ruffled feathers among staff, insiders claim, after it was previously rumoured courtiers referred to her as “Duchess Difficult”.
Meghan has brought Harry and Charles closer, according to Tatler.
Tatler said Sarah Ferguson was subject to cruel attacks after marrying into the royal family.
The publication added: “Meghan has seen nothing like that — even though staff at Kensington Palace are now calling her “Me-Gain”.
Kensington Palace has denied reports in the past of Meghan having a strained relationship with her staff.
