PRINCE Harry and Meghan Markle are desperately trying to rival the "patriotic" Beckhams they once called pals, a royal expert has claimed.
Harry and David Beckham were said to have been friends for years, with snaps showing the fresh-faced young men beaming at one another.
But it's rumoured their relationship - and their wives' newer friendship - came crumbling in recent years, and an expert says it will likely never be the same.
Richard Fitzwilliams was speaking today after it was revealed the Beckhams' Netfix docu-series was the most watched on the streaming giant.
The Beckhams and the Sussexes aren't comparable - they aren't on the same level.
Meghan Markle 'to unleash her own memoirs' as Prince Harry's drops next week Richard Fitzwilliams
But, Meghan and Harry's bombshell doc had slumped to a low 211 on the platform's list.
The Royal commentator said this would be a blow for the Sussexes - who would dream of having the following the Beckhams have.
Richard told The Sun: "The Beckhams are probably everything that Harry and Meghan would like to be.
"You can't compare Harry and Meghan to the Beckhams."
He said David and Victoria were "international superstars" - and the Sussexes are not.
The expert continued: "This is the thing the Beckhams have not only survived, they've thrived.
"The Beckhams and the Sussexes aren't comparable - they aren't on the same level.
"There isn't a modest comparison other than the superficial, because you've got those who've basically survived decades - and they're absolutely huge.
"So I don't think there's any possibility of Harry and Meghan resembling that level."
Prince Harry and David have enjoyed a close friendship over the years, but cracks have formed in recent times.
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The Duke of Sussex allegedly called David to accuse him and his wife Victoria of leaking stories, leaving the Beckhams ‘furious.’
And experts recently said that if Meghan's business failed, it would be the "ultimate revenge" for Victoria.
He said the foursome had been pals, and the Beckhams' attended the Sussexes' wedding.
Richard continued: "We had a period where apparently Meghan was endorsing Victoria's brand, and the couples were apparently getting on in one way or another."
However, he believed Megxit and the lead up to it may have played its part in their friendship falling to bits.
Richard said: "There's no doubt that the Beckhams are very, very patriotic - they are great supporters of the Royal Family.
"I suspect strongly, and this is just my view, that they didn't like the way the Sussexes monetized their Royal connections for gain."
He said that the Beckhams may have realised they were "too close" to the Sussexes - especially as they're also close friends with Wills and Kate.
The expert continued: "It would seem that what was once a blossoming friendship has now descended into something of a rift."
The Beckhams' documentary - released last October - had 208.5million hours watched in 2023.
Meanwhile, Harry & Meghan had 72.9million hours watched during the year, although their show was released the year before and it's normal for show views to decline over time.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s Netflix series was an instant hit when it debuted on December 2022.
The show was so popular that it was Netflix’s biggest debut at the time, with 81.6million hours viewed in the first four days.
However, it seems the initial furore quickly died down.
This could have been due to fans hoping for royal insight in the show, but instead being frustrated at the couple being “whiny”, as some stated.
Meanwhile, other viewers slammed Meghan for "mocking" having to curtsy to the late-Queen.
In comparison, fans praised David for sharing honestly about his career and a number of comical family life scenes went viral.
