THEY were once the “most popular couple in the country”, but Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s A-list pals are “dropping like flies”, according to a royal expert.
Paul Burrell, who worked as Princess Diana’s butler until her death in 1997, claims the Duchess of Sussex’s circle is dwindling.
Speaking to Closer!, the former royal staff member said: “Harry and Meghan’s circle is getting smaller and smaller. I think the A-list stars are dropping like flies.
“Some already have done - Oprah no longer seems involved with them and some other celebrities have also dropped them.
“Back in the day, the A-listers were riding on the moment - Harry and Meghan were the most popular couple in the country at one time, when they got married, but there’s since been a decline.”
Meghan Markle 'to unleash her own memoirs' as Prince Harry's drops next week
Paul claimed that Americans “love the royal family” and are realising that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are a “side show” and not the “main event.”
According to the publication, former pals Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom snubbed an invitation to Archie's fifth birthday party.
While friends Amal and George Clooney failed to invite the couple to their Albie Awards in October.
The couple sensationally stepped back as senior working royals in 2020 and have since criticised the royal family in their Oprah Winfrey interview, Netflix documentary and Harry’s Spare memoir.
Rather than surrounding themselves with the glam names who attended their wedding, in Los Angeles Harry and Meghan seem to have tried to get closer to a group dubbed the Montecito Mafia.
Four years after buying an £11million mansion in exclusive Santa Barbara County, California, many of the people they hang out with are neighbours.
It comes following rumours that David and Victoria Beckham were shunned by Harry’s former actress wife.
And their fresh connections appear to have a lot more in common with lifestyle blogger Meghan than ex-military man Harry.
A local source said: “Her friends are very much into the Gwyneth Paltrow-style wellness fads.”
Harry and Meghan convinced 'royals were against them' after New Year photo snub
Royal experts believe Prince Harry has become a "lonely figure" and that his once close friendship circle has narrowed.
Royal author Phil Dampier told Fabulous: “There’s been a massive cost for Harry marrying Meghan and moving to California.
“Not only has he lost his family, his royal status and military connections, but he’s also lost a lot of friends.
“I get the impression he hasn't got a circle of drinking buddies he can unwind with in Montecito, which has a population of older people, and I’m sure that takes its toll.
“He is dependent on Meghan for his social life and for someone who was used to being one of the lads, as he was in the Army, that must affect his mental health.”
We have seen Prince Harry accompanying wife Meghan to a Beyonce concert and charity events, and he was invited to the US Grand Prix in Austin, Texas, by the Mercedes and Red Bull teams.
Do you struggle to dress DD+ boobs? Shop Fabulous' Fuller Bust Collection NOW
Phil added that during these sightings “Prince Harry always seems to be a lonely figure, or he’s with corporate PR types who advise and manage his business affairs.”
He added: “He doesn’t look happy to me and I think losing some of his friends must be a factor.
“Harry now seems to want to move in celebrity circles and make friends with the rich and famous, whereas before he was on good terms with old chums in all sorts of fields.”
One of his long-term friends, who had been close to Prince Harry since their days together at Eton, was classmate Tom “Skippy” Inskip.
Back in the day, the A-listers were riding on the moment - Harry and Meghan were the most popular couple in the country at one time, when they got married, but there’s since been a decline
Paul Burrell
Phil said: “Tom is apparently out in the cold because he wasn’t sure about Meghan.
“James Corden became a ‘mate’ in California, but he has now moved back to London.
“And while Elton John is always there for him, he mainly lives in Europe.”
However, some of Prince Harry’s friendships are still active, with Phil adding: “Guy Pelly lives in the States as his wife is American, and he visits him.
Harry and Meghan’s circle is getting smaller and smaller. I think the A-list stars are dropping like flies
Paul Burrell
“But others he used to play polo with in England no longer communicate with him.
“Of course other relationships have flourished, for example with polo pal Nacho Figueras, who recently accompanied him on a trip to Asia.
“He is full of praise for Harry and they have become close.
“Mark Dyer, a royal aide, still talks to Harry on the phone frequently and he was always a kind of big brother figure or a second dad.
“He is thought to be one of Archie’s godparents and Harry was very concerned recently when Mark fought a cancer battle.”
One relationship that is fragile and appears beyond repair is Harry’s bond with his brother William.
Phil explained: “Of course his best friend, the one person who could really understand him and what he has been through, was his brother William.
“Prince William made the fatal mistake of querying whether Meghan was a suitable bride, and if he was rushing into marriage. Their falling out is, quite simply, a Greek tragedy.”
