Jeremy Clarkson, who faced sharp criticism from Prince Harry last year for writing a notorious article in The Sun, has been known for expressing deep-seated animosity towards Meghan, stating a cellular-level hatred and disturbingly suggesting he wanted to witness her paraded naked in the streets while people threw excrement at her. Although Clarkson later apologized, Harry's spokesperson emphasized the need to address his consistent pattern of writing articles that spread hate, dangerous conspiracy theories, and misogyny.
Given Clarkson's previous comments about Meghan, it would have been unthinkable for Hugh Van Cutson to appear alongside him if he and Harry were still the best of pals. Hugh, whose late father was one of King Charles's oldest friends, has known both Prince William and Harry since childhood. William even served as the senior usher at Hugh's wedding to Rose Aster in 2005 and is the godfather to their daughter, Grace, who famously covered her ears on the Buckingham Palace balcony during William and Catherine's wedding due to the loud cheering from the crowds.
Hugh and Rose went out of their way to make Meghan feel welcome after she moved to the UK, extending invitations for supper at their West London house. They also attended Harry and Meghan's wedding in 2018. However, signs of trouble emerged in 2020 when Harry and Meghan announced their intention to step back as senior members of the royal family. Rose publicly mocked the announcement, joking on social media about stepping back as a senior member of her tax return. She explained that she preferred activities like coffee with friends, spending time with family, and practicing yoga instead of dealing with receipts and calculations.
In his 2023 memoir, Harry confirmed the rift with the Van Cutsons, revealing that Hugh's mother, Emily, and one of her sons reached out to express their anger after his explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey. Harry disclosed that several close friends and beloved figures in his life, including members of the Van Cutson family, had chastised him for revealing family secrets during the interview.
The presence of Jeremy Clarkson, known for his controversial remarks about Meghan Markle, mingling with Harry's friend group, indicates a growing divide between the Van Cutsons and the Sussexes. However, the focus should be on the bigger picture—the shrinking social circle of Meghan and Harry. It becomes increasingly apparent that their penchant for drama and public revelations is alienating them from high society. The Sussexes' actions, such as monetizing private moments for personal gain, have come at the cost of losing invitations and friendships.
Their brand of public spectacle and tell-all behavior is not winning them any friends in influential circles. Harry is aware that betraying the trust of the upper class by selling family secrets and personal interactions for profit comes with consequences. Consequently, their invitations are dwindling, as who would want the Sussexes around when every casual comment could potentially be twisted into a Netflix special or a Spotify podcast episode. The tragedy lies in Meghan and Harry's diminishing social circle, highlighting the price they pay for their actions.
