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It comes after a report earlier this month cited sources who laid into the royal’s leadership style, with one source calling her “absolutely relentless”.

The Duchess has been praised for thoughtful presents she gives staffers. (Image: Getty)

People who have worked for Meghan Markle have leapt to her defence after a bombshell report claimed disgruntled staff refer to the former Suits star as “Duchess Difficult”.

A piece by The Hollywood Reporter earlier this month cited sources who laid into her leadership style, with one source calling her “absolutely relentless”.

“She marches around like a dictator in high heels, fuming and barking orders,” they said, adding: “I’ve watched her reduce grown men to tears.”

A source close to the couple further claimed: “Everyone’s terrified of Meghan. She belittles people, she doesn’t take advice. They’re both poor decision-makers, they change their minds frequently.

“Harry is a very, very charming person — no airs at all — but he’s very much an enabler. And she’s just terrible,” they opined.

Other staffers now insist Harry and Meghan are kind and generous bosses. (Image: Getty)

But employees of the 43-year-old have now launched a passionate defence of her, emphasising the “concern and care” she shows staff.

A report by US Weekly titled “What It’s Really Like to Work for Meghan Markle” quoted former and current staff members who shared examples of the couple’s efforts to engender a happy workplace.

“When I adopted my dog, the next day, I had a luxury brand leash and new collar on my doorstep,” one ex-employee told the outlet.

New parents at Archewell, the Sussexes’ group of for-profit and not-for-profit business organisations, have also reportedly been given brand-new gifts and posh second-hand baby items from the couple.

An unnamed source who currently works for Meghan said the Duchess “will do things like: ‘You mentioned on the call your skin is bothering you… I put together a kit for you.’”

Staffers claimed that they leave with “a basket with fresh flowers, fresh fruit and fresh eggs” after meetings at the couple’s Montecito mansion.

Mandana Dayani, former Archwell COO spoke out against the reports, and described the Duke and Duchess of Sussex as “kind, decent, caring people”.

Speaking to US Weekly she said: “Part of the profound injustice of having to speak publicly on this in light of these endless and damaging narratives is that so much of the kindness, mentorship, and support that Prince Harry and Meghan share with others happens quietly behind closed doors.”

“Throughout every global crisis, their first question was always: ‘How can we help?’ Whether they were veterans, women, refugees, animals in harm, they both showed up,” she continued.

King Charles is “keener than ever” to have a normal relationship with his estranged grandchildren, sources say.

King Charles wants to be fully involved with all of his grandchildren, says source (Image: Getty, Netflix)

King Charles is “committed” to building a normal relationship with his estranged grandchildren, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, as the monarch “values family above everything”, sources have claimed.

The King’s relationship with his younger son, Prince Harry, may be frostier than it used to be after the latter’s explosive claims against the Firm since his sensational exit and move to the US in 2020, however, he is “keener than ever” to be as involved as he can be with Archie and Lilibet after telling friends he is “not content” with only seeing on video calls.

Charles has only seen the eldest child of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex a handful of times and his granddaughter only once.

A source told the Mirror: “The King is absolutely committed to being present in all of his grandchildren’s lives.

“He values family above everything and whatever the course of his ­relationship with his son he would never be content with just seeing his grandchildren on the odd video call.”

Meanwhile, royal author Ingrid Seward claimed family “has always been important to the King” and added that it’s “sad” he doesn’t see more of his grandchildren from across the pond.

She said: “Family has always been important to the King. He remembers his own somewhat fragmented childhood as his parents were always busy doing their duty.

“It is a great sadness to him he doesn’t see more of Archie and Lilibet.

“That is why he will never break ties with Harry. He does not want a FaceTime relationship with his son’s children.

 

King Charles has only seen Princess Lilibet in person once (Image: Netflix)

“He wants to know them and be involved with their lives while they are still young enough to be able to learn from his wisdom.

“His cancer has made it all the more poignant to him as he knows that he won’t be around forever.”

Following one of his trips back to the UK this year in February and after the only time he was granted a meeting with his father, Prince Harry

Former Manchester United star David Beckham has amassed millions since his professional debut and has also become a global icon off the pitch.

The sensational documentary about David and Victoria Beckham has been released on Netflix this morning.

The four-episode documentary, titled Beckham, follows Posh and Becks in their personal and professional lives, going through their history together with interviews of the couple.

In the highly-anticipated documentary, the Englishman revealed he had to be held back from Sir Alex Ferguson during their infamous row in 2003

after the legendary Scot kicked a boot at the ex-England captain.

Mail Sport breaks down everything you need to know about David Beckham’s net worth and career earnings.

What is his net worth?

The 48-year-old has an estimated net worth of £372million ($450m).

It is fair to say that the Englishman is a big presence on social media – having 86m followers on Instagram and 57m followers on Facebook.

He has over a dozen properties in his portfolio – including a luxurious penthouse in Miami which was bought for £17.15m.

The jaw-dropping pad in Miami is situated on the 59th floor of One Thousand Museum. He bought the property through his firm Beckham Brand Ltd when he was in the process of setting up Inter Miami.

The property features Miami’s first private helipad, five bedrooms, floor-to-ceiling windows and balconies overlooking the sea.

Beckham and his wife Victoria have access to the tower’s double-level gym and spa, infinity pool and hair and beauty complex.

Beckham’s Miami property, which was bough three years ago, is now valued at £22.6m.

Their Miami home is just part of the couple’s £70m international property portfolio. It also includes a £30m London townhouse and a £6m Cotswolds mansion.

What are his career earnings?

Beckham has made the majority of his money through football contracts. He was one of the higher-paid players during his career and, even in retirement, continues to cash in.

After 11 seasons with Manchester United, during which he won six Premier League titles, he moved to Real Madrid – where he was offered around £30.8m ($42m) for his four seasons at the club.

Following his four year stint in Madrid, the former midfielder opted to sign for MLS giants Los Angeles Galaxy for a reported $250m (£179.3m) payout, roughly £23.3m ($32.5m) of which is said to have come from the team.

Forbes reported that there was a revenue in his contract which meant he was able to earn additional income based on the team’s success.

During his time in America, the Englishman had two spells with Serie A giants AC Milan in 2009 and 2010.

In 2013, Beckham signed a five-month deal with Ligue 1 outfit Paris Saint-Germain. He vowed to donate his rumoured £1 million ($1.3m) salary to children’s charities in Paris.

According to the Daily Mirror, by the time he retired, Beckham had earned £659m ($800m) on and off the field, making him the seventh highest-paid athlete ever at the time.

Sponsorship deals

Even after retiring from football, it is fair to say that Beckham is still penning incredible endorsement deals.

The British sensation has banked millions in commercial endorsements from sponsors including Adidas, Coty, H&M, Sainsbury’s, Samsung and his newest partner, Breitling, according to Forbes.

His deal with Adidas was inked in 2003, which was in the form of a lifetime contract – which is worth £132m ($160m). At the time of its signing, it was one of the largest endorsement deals in sports history.

It has also been reported that he has made over £247,000 ($300,000) as the ambassador of the Swiss luxury watch company Tudor – which he signed a deal in 2017.

He has also been the face of Haig Club scotch whisky for the last nine years, advertising the alcoholic drink in a slew of promotional campaigns.

However, Beckham ended his partnership with the booze brand earlier this year, with all of the social media profiles set to inactive.

The Englishman signed a mega-money deal with the drinks company in 2014 but is now seeking to venture out into his own range of drinks.

A source told The Sun: ‘Haig confirmed that David wouldn’t be renewing his contract with them earlier this year.

‘It is now officially over and Haig is on the lookout for someone new.’

In 2014, David launched his own company DB Ventures – which handles his multiple sporting and fashion endorsements.

With a reported net worth of $450 million (£370 million), he’s thought to bring in a hefty sum each year with brand partnerships and his own ventures.

But last year, he sold 55% the company to Authentic Brands, the owner of Juicy Couture, for around £200m.

At the time, it was reported that the deal would help him to crack into the US with his financial ventures.

A new book has claimed that Meghan Markle issued an exclusion order regarding David and Victoria Beckham.

The explosive claim was made by author Tom Bower in his book The House of Beckham: Money, Sex and Power.

Although the Beckhams attended Prince Harry and Meghan’s wedding in 2018, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are not in touch with them anymore due to a feud.

Bower claimed in his book that Meghan banned Harry from being photographed with David at an Invictus Games event because she was afraid it would upstage her husband.

“Beckham found himself alone at the Invictus Games stadium,” Tom wrote. “Arriving on the agreed day to meet Prince Harry he was perplexed [as to]

why officials were playing a dance to keep him happy, but away from Harry.”

“Photographs of the two together were forbidden. The royal snub was brutal. David Beckham was puzzled,” Tom continued. “The exclusion order, it later transpired, was issued by Meghan.”

“She did not want any competition in the media from Beckham, and especially not from his wife Victoria,” he added.

Another explosive claim

Elsewhere in the book, Tom claimed Victoria gave Meghan thousands of pounds worth of clothes and accessories to promote the former Spice Girls star’s brand. As part of a marketing drive, Meghan was given a “coat, dress, boots and a handbag worth £6,000” for royal Christmas festivities at Sandringham House, the book claimed.

“Victoria agreed to provide a coat, dress, boots and a handbag worth £6,000 to Meghan for the Royal Family’s traditional Christmas Day parade in Sandringham,” Tom wrote. “Later, Meghan wore a Beckham custom-made pregnancy outfit and a white coat and dress for a service in Westminster Abbey.”

Former Spice Girls star Victoria Beckham was reportedly reduced to tears by her husband David Beckham’s heartfelt speech at her 50th birthday party.

Posh Spice is said to have ‘welled up’ after hearing the England football star praising Victoria as a “role model” in front of 100 guests, including the rest of the Spice Girls.

The 48-year-old dad-of-four was also seen looking delighted as he filmed all five of the Spice Girls reuniting to sing and dance the choreography to their hit song Stop.

The Sun reports that it was believed to be the first time Mel C, Mel B, Victoria Beckham, Emma Bunton, and Geri Halliwell were all together again since 2018.

A source who attended the party, which is reported to have cost an estimated £250,000, revealed what David had said in his speech.

They told the publication: “David told the party how Victoria’s always been a huge inspiration to him.

“He talked of what an amazing role model she is and what an incredible mum she has been. The kids also did speeches — it was very informal but they spoke of how grateful they are for everything she’s done for them.”

The source added that there was a big Spice Girls theme at the bash, with hits such as Wannabe, Say You’ll Be There, and Who Do You Think You Are all making the playlist.

“They had to make up for lost time – and they did exactly that. The girls were ­having the time of their lives,” said the party insider.

David and Victoria’s son Cruz, 19, who is following in his mum’s footsteps by pursuing a career in music, also sang a cover of their 1996 track Mama at the birthday bash at Oswald’s in Mayfair.

According to reports, guests were treated to a tasty meal of steak, sea bass, and Italian-style sharing platters as well as £500 bottles of champagne to warm them up before hitting the dance floor.

Victoria’s birthday was a star-studded affair with the likes of Jason Statham and his partner, model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Hollywood str Tom Cruise and Desperate Housewives actress Eva Longoria, all in attendance.

Victoria was of course joined by her family, husband David Beckham, sons Brooklyn, Romeo and Cruz and daughter Harper.

At the end of the Netflix docuseries “Beckham,” David Beckham opens up about his love of cooking.

As he discusses his barbecue tent and checks on his roast chicken, a voice interjects.

“Did you put thyme in there as well?” asks Brooklyn Beckham, the soccer star’s eldest son.

“Yes chef!” he replies with a laugh.

It’s the younger Beckham who’s made headlines in recent years for his cooking skills, but the 24-year-old told Insider that his father has taught him a lot in the kitchen.

And Brooklyn Beckham, who sat down with Insider recently to discuss his new partnership with the kitchen-appliance company Typhur,

revealed that his dad’s best dish is his spaghetti bolognese.

Beckham said his father learned how to make the dish while he was living in Italy to play for AC Milan from 2009 to 2010.

“My dad and I, we took this Italian pasta-making class when my dad lived in Milan,” Beckham recalled. “He learned from, obviously, the best place you could learn how to make pasta.”

“My dad loves cooking, so he used to cook it all the time when I was a little kid,” he added. “I would be so excited coming home from school and seeing my dad make spaghetti bolognese.”

Beckham has since taken his dad’s recipe and made a few tweaks, which he’s working to perfect for his wife Nicola Peltz.

As he continues to pursue his passion for cooking, Beckham said his dad has been a huge source of inspiration.

“Growing up, my dad has always loved being in the kitchen,” Beckham said.

“And as a very young baby, I was lucky enough to travel with him to different places in the world and try different cuisines.

I think my love for cooking and trying different cuisines definitely came from my dad.”

When his dad isn’t whipping up a great spaghetti bolognese, Beckham said he also makes a delicious Sunday roast — as well as an incredible truffle risotto.

“He actually taught me how to make truffle risotto, which I’m still trying to perfect,” Beckham said. “I still need a few more lessons.

I don’t know what he does to it, but it’s just a little bit better than mine.”

While Beckham has faced plenty of criticism for his cooking videos, he told Insider he isn’t fazed by the haters.

“To be honest, I’m used to the hate,” Beckham said. “It doesn’t really bother me. Cooking makes me happy. I have more important things to worry about than people saying a little bit of rubbish about me.”

Beckham plans to keep improving his skills with the help of Typhur’s new line of appliances, which he said has helped Peltz start learning how to cook as well.

“I’m not a professional at all, I’m just starting out,” he added. “So I’m just gonna continue doing my videos and see where it takes me.”

Looking for a great spaghetti bolognese recipe? Try Michelin-starred chef Mario Carbone’s version or our favorite weeknight bolognese from Ina Garten.

David Beckham reportedly shares a very cordial bond with his youngest kid, Harper Beckham.

As fans will be aware, David Beckham and his wife Victoria Beckham share a brood of four with their daughter, Harper being the youngest of kids.

Previously, the legendary footballer revealed that his daughter is the “boss” of the Beckham family,

but now the father of four reportedly fears losing his innocent daughter, who has started to act more like a teenage girl.

An insider shared in this regard, “David and Harper have such a special bond,” per Heat Magazine.

Elaborating on what he thinks of his daughter being romantically involved with someone,

the source also claimed, “He is naturally a protective dad, so obviously he’s nervous of anyone hurting his little girl.”

They also explained, “She’s still so young, so a lot of this is hypothetical and he knows any ‘dating’ will all be purely innocent – but he also knows it’s going to get harder for him the older she gets.”

The insider even spilled the beans on Harper’s changed behaviour and declared, “Over the past few months, Harper has really started changing.”

“She’s getting dressed up a lot more, using make-up, having her hair done, going out with friends, and is always chatting about fashion and beauty with her mum. In some ways, David yearns for those days when she was still little,” the source concluded.

Gareth Southgate’s side have made it to the round of 16 comfortably by topping their group where they remained unbeaten.

However, fans and pundits alike have slammed the team’s performance as they won just once and drew against much weaker teams like Denmark and Slovenia.

While former Three Lions stars like Gary Lineker openly called England’s game ‘sh*t’

while analysing their performance on a podcast, ex-captain Beckham has extended his support towards Harry Kane and Co

by wishing them luck on social media ahead of their big round of 16 clash.

On Instagram, Beckham shared four photographs of himself at the various stages of his life supporting and playing for the national team.

In the caption, he wrote, “Loving @euro2024 so far. Good luck tonight boys.”

The Euro 2020 runners-up will be back in action on Sunday evening as they look to put up a convincing performance against Slovakia and further advance in the tournament.

Meghan Markle reportedly barred Prince Harry from being photographed with David Beckham at the 2018 Invictus Games,

before the upset soccer star sought “revenge” against the royal couple four years later.

The juicy saga is detailed in Tom Bower’s new book “The House of Beckham: Money, Sex and Power,”

with the author alleging that the prince and the athlete had been friendly for years before their fallout.

Beckham and his wife, Victoria, were guests at Harry and Meghan’s wedding in May 2018 — but the relationship between the two couples soured less than six months later.

In October 2018, Beckham attended Harry’s Invictus Games for injured service people in Sydney, Australia, but was purportedly kept away from the prince at Markle’s behest.

“Beckham found himself alone at the Invictus Games stadium,” Bower writes in the biography.

“Arriving on the agreed day to meet Prince Harry he was perplexed [as to] why officials were playing a dance to keep him happy, but away from Harry.”

The soccer player is said to have questioned officials as to why he wasn’t allowed to spend time with royal, before he allegedly learned that “the prince had ordered that under no circumstances was the footballer to be allowed near him.”

“Photographs of the two together were forbidden,” Bower claimed.

“The royal snub was brutal. David Beckham was puzzled. Why did the prince refuse to meet him?”

“The exclusion order, it later transpired, was issued by Meghan,” the author alleged.

“She did not want any competition in the media from Beckham, and especially not from his wife Victoria.”

Beckham was said to be “perplexed” and hurt by the move, but he exacted revenge more than four years later, Bower claims.

In November 2022, Beckham decided to add star power to a celebration in Boston held for Prince William and Princess Kate, helping to overshadow a competing event attended by Harry and Markle.

Beckham “flew 7,600 miles from Qatar to Boston to join the new Prince and Princess of Wales, William and Kate, and President Joe Biden to celebrate the launch of the royals’ environmental Earthshot prize,” Bower writes.

The author alleged that on the same day, “Harry and Meghan were seeking to wow Americans during an event in New York.”

“Inevitably the Sussexes were overshadowed by the constellation [of celebrities] in Boston,” Bower writes.

“Beckham had got his revenge for the Sydney snub.”

The story isn’t the only one about the Sussexes included in Bower’s new book on the Beckhams.

While engaged to Prince Harry, Markle allegedly asked Victoria — the former Spice-Girl-turned-fashion-designer — for free clothes and handbags.

But the request was “vetoed by [Buckingham] Palace for being against their rules,” according to Bower.

Meanwhile, Bower believes that the relationship between the two couples was in trouble before the Invictus Games “snub.”

According to the new tome, Victoria felt “insulted” that she and her husband weren’t invited to a pre-wedding dinner for Harry and Markle that was attended by celebrities including George Clooney.

Meanwhile, it was reported last year, that Beckham was left “absolutely bloody furious” after accusations that he or Victoria had leaked stories about the Sussexes to the media.

Accusations allegedly flew during a tense phone call between the two couples.

Victoria Beckham prompted mixed opinions after sharing memories of her first romantic trip with English football legend David Beckham,

as her more sensual recollections made some “uncomfortable.”

The former Spice Girls member recently shared a series of throwback photos of herself and David Beckham during a trip to Italy in 1997.

“Portofino in 1997 was a very, very romantic trip,” she wrote in the caption. “I remember how excited I was to be there with David for the first time.

The intensity of the two of us being together that 48 hours really was amazing… Kisses @davidbeckham.”

That trip to Portofino inspired Victoria to create her new fragrance “Portofino ’97 Eau de Parfum,” which has a price tag of $200.

It’s tagline is: “A new infatuation. A secret escape. The seductive scent of desire.”

The scent seeks to capture the “burgeoning romance” of their trip, which was filled with “adrenaline,” “flirtation” and “infatuation,” according to a description on Victoria Beckham’s website.

However, the caption and the description of the fragrance has stirred debates among fans, according to Page Six.

“This horny caption I’m uncomfortable,” one user wrote on X.

Another fan clapped back: “Uncomfortable or jealous?”

“Not going to lie, I’m just jealous,” another commented.

Others showed admiration for the couple’s expressions of passionate love after nearly 25 years of marriage.

“I love how she loves him. The way they still want each other. Love it,” one user wrote.

The Beckhams will celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary on July 4. They have been together for nearly three decades and have four children, of which the three sons are all grown up, and only the youngest daughter, Harper, lives with her parents. Through many ups and downs, Becks and Vic have both resolved family conflicts in private and always publicly expressed love and support for each other.