IT has long been thought that when Prince Harry allegedly called David Beckham to accuse him and his wife Victoria of leaking stories, that he also ended their long term friendship.

But one royal expert thinks it was actually David who decided to cut ties with Prince Harry, and not the other way around.

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Royal editor Sarah Hewson claims David Beckham is a ‘self proclaimed royalist’ who has picked the ‘side’ of Prince WilliamCredit: Arthur Edwards / The Sun

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The royal editor said cracks started to show in David and Prince Harry’s relationship when he wasn’t at son Brooklyn’s weddingCredit: Getty

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It has been portrayed that the Beckhams were ‘Markled’ by Harry and Meghan, but was it the other way round?Credit: Getty Images – Getty

Sarah Hewson, royal editor at Talk TV, exclusively told Fabulous: “Things turned sour between David and Harry over these leaked stories and it has been portrayed that the Beckhams were ‘Markled’ – cut out of their lives like they have Meghan’s father and her BFF Jessica Mulroney.

“But I’m not sure it’s so clear cut. Who dropped who? David is a self proclaimed royalist.

“He queued for 12 hours to see the Queen lying in State and he has worked with the royals on several charitable campaigns – perhaps it was David who pulled the plug and he is actually the one distancing himself from them rather than the other way around.”

Cracks first started emerging in the pair’s friendship last spring when the former footballer invited Prince William and Kate to his son Brooklyn’s wedding – and not Harry and Meghan.

At the time, a source said: “David’s attachment and history go back with William and Kate and they have a very strong relationship and they were their choice of wedding guests. It was always about them, it was never about Meghan and Harry.

“They are the people David and Victoria are attached to and it’s always been about them because they’ve had a long history together.”

And perhaps it wasn’t a coincidence that after the apparent snub, Meghan, 42, seemingly stopped wearing Victoria’s designs – while Kate appeared to be wearing them more than ever.

She wore one of the designer’s dresses to an engagement in January and was spotted donning a pair of VB glasses at Wimbledon over the summer.

She even reintroduced a Victoria Beckham bag to her wardrobe – taking the white Quincy tote out on a royal visit in May, the first time she had been seen with it since 2016.

Then, earlier this year, it was claimed that Prince Harry called David, 48, accusing him and wife Victoria, 49, of story leaks.

It was reportedly an “awkward” conversation which left David “absolutely bloody furious”, and since then the Beckhams have appeared to further distance themselves from the Sussexes.

And according to Sarah, it’s a move that can only strengthen David’s friendship with Prince William and the King.

She said: “Perhaps by distancing himself from Harry and Meghan, it has helped David cement his relationships with William and the King. After all, he is due to meet with Charles for dinner soon. I think David has made it very clear whose side he is on.”

Meanwhile, Denise Palmer-Davies, a PR expert and director of celeb firm Borne, said David choosing an allegiance with William over Harry is a “shrewd move” – and one he “won’t regret.”

She told Fabulous: “David has made no secret of the fact he is a royalist. He has always got involved in royal linked projects, he sings the national anthem with pride and showed such respect when the Queen died.

“He is also a family man, and I think given his respect for the royals and all they stand for, he was probably quite shocked by some of the mud Harry has been slinging at them. It wouldn’t surprise me if David wanted to distance himself from Harry and Meghan – it seems wherever they go, drama follows and I can’t see David wanting to be part of that.

“Taking a step back from his relationship with Harry, all while further cementing his friendship with William, and now the King, is a shrewd move, and I think it could end up being the best decision he has ever made.

“There will be so many opportunities for David to get involved in royal linked charitable projects, and I can see the royals benefiting from his popularity.

“Staying friends with Harry is unlikely to be as straightforward, and as I said, comes with lots of unnecessary drama!”

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David and Victoria secured a coveted invitation to Harry’s royal wedding in 2018Credit: Getty

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Earlier this year, it was claimed that Prince Harry called David, 48, accusing him and wife Victoria, 49, of story leaksCredit: Getty

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One PR expert said David choosing an allegiance with William over Harry is a ‘shrewd move’Credit: Getty

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According to experts, David is keen to strengthen his friendship with Prince William and the KingCredit: Alamy

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The Princess of Wales is said to have a friendship with Victoria Beckham too