Jack Whitehall claims he was ‘Markled’ by Meghan as former ‘good friend’ Prince Harry ‘dropped’ him
The comedian also quipped he wasn't invited to Prince Harry's wedding in 2018 because of a joke he made
JACK Whitehall has revealed he had a ”good” friendship with Prince Harry before Meghan Markle entered the picture – but he got ”dropped” when the couple ”settled” down.
The comedian, 36, who is currently in Australia touring his latest comedy show Jack and Michael Whitehall Live, appeared on Melbourne breakfast radio Nova 100’s Jase & Lauren, earlier this week.
Speaking to the hosts, Jack revealed he and Harry, 40, used to be quite close friends when he was ”a tearaway” – but then the royal settled down after meeting Meghan, 43.
Dad-of-one Jack said: ”I was quite good friends with Prince Harry back in the day, pre-Meghan when he was a tearaway.”
Host Lauren Phillips asked the actor if he was ”dropped” by the now-estranged royal after tying the knot the former Suits star.
He told the hosts: ”Yeah I mean I wasn’t part of his inner circle… but I had a few nights out with him when he was quite fun.”
The 36-year-old also mentioned that just like Harry, he too has ”retired” from his wild party days.
He joked: ”There’s still a demon inside me…there [is] definitely a little bit more negotiating and [I’ve] cashed out at the bank of mutual resentment.
”I just sent my wife away for a girls’ weekend — I’m like, ‘Take two nights babe,’ ‘Cause I know there’s a potential boys’ weekend coming up’,” said Jack who shares daughter Elsie with model wife Roxy Horner.
The two former close pals, Jack and Harry, have been spotted hanging out over the years and were even snapped at the Royal Variety Performance at London‘s Albert Hall in 2015.
The comedian also quipped he wasn’t invited to Prince Harry’s wedding in 2018 because of a joke he made at the Royal Variety Show in 2015.
During Jack’s How To Survive The Summer Holidays tour, his father Michael said: ”That is your friend Harry. Except you are not allowed to see him anymore. You have been banned… ostracised from the Sussexes.”
Jack replied: ”I think I have been banned because I called him ‘Ginger Nuts’ at the Royal Variety.”
In his 2015 set, the dad-of-one joked that he will ”offer up his services as royal wingman” because Prince Harry wasn’t seeing anyone seriously at the time.
However, he started dating Meghan just a year later and the couple eventually tied the knot in front of millions.
Meghan Markle's 'jarring' first meeting with Kate Middleton
MEGHAN and Kate are said to have had a rather fractious relationship, and the American actress revealed what happened on their first meeting.
After announcing their engagement, Meghan and Harry gave an interview to the BBC’s Mishal Husain from their home Nottingham Cottage in the grounds of Kensington Palace.
During the interview, Meghan praised the Royal Family, The Queen and her future sister-in-law Kate Middleton for all being so welcoming.
However, Meghan claimed there was a difference between how formal she and Kate were behind closed doors.
In her Netflix documentary Harry & Meghan, the Duchess said: “Even when Will and Kate came over and I was meeting her for the first time I remember I was in ripped jeans, I was barefoot.
“Like I was a hugger, I have always been a hugger I didn’t realise that is really jarring for a lot of Brits.
“I started to understand that the formality on the outside carried through on the inside, that there is a forward facing way of being and then you close the door and think ‘OK we can relax now’.
“But that formality carries over on both sides and that was surprising to me.”
‘Markled’
Last year, Meghan was said to have a “bitter rift” with Victoria Beckham – and she’s not the only star that she has reportedly drifted apart from.
Phil Dampier, author of Royally Suited: Harry and Meghan In Their Own Words, told Fabulous: “Harry and Meghan are now toxic and lots of people who previously seemed to fawn all over them no longer want to know.
“Put bluntly Meghan has been Markled by some of her friends.”
This followed the Duchess gaining a reputation herself of having “Markled” – as it was dubbed – a number of friends, including former best pal Jessica Mulroney, who played a key role at Meghan’s wedding.
Phil added: “Lots of movers and shakers would prefer to be in with the royal family and have some of that stardust rub off on them.
“Harry and Meghan can’t present people with honours and awards.
“They don’t have the kudos of a true royal connection, and they have cheapened their brand by their behaviour.”
Meanwhile, Princess Diana’s former butler Paul Burrell said to Closer!: “Harry and Meghan’s circle is getting smaller and smaller.
“I think the A-list stars are dropping like flies.”
According to the expert, here are some of the high-profile names who could have “Markled” Meghan – Oprah Winfrey, singer Katy Perry and actor Orlando Bloom, the Clooneys, Gwyneth Paltrow, as well as the Beckhams.
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