Meghan Markle is said to be deeply unsettled after the success of Victoria Beckham’s latest Netflix documentary, which has sparked renewed comparisons between the two women and put Meghan’s own media projects under scrutiny.
Feeling “Hurt and Humiliated”
Sources claim the Duchess of Sussex, 44, is feeling “hurt and humiliated” after Victoria’s three-part series earned strong reviews and overshadowed Meghan’s own Netflix ventures. Despite having secured her own multimillion-dollar deal with the platform after stepping back from the royal family in 2020, Meghan is reportedly “shaken” by the positive reception to Victoria’s documentary.
The series, released on October 9, traces Victoria Beckham’s journey from global pop icon to respected figure in the fashion world, highlighting her evolution into a successful designer and business leader.
Ratings Comparison Sparks Tension
While Victoria’s documentary did not outshine David Beckham’s previous Netflix success in viewership, it outperformed Meghan’s projects critically. The Victoria Beckham series boasts a 44% Tomatometer and a 77% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes, compared to Meghan’s With Love, Meghan which received 38% and 33% for its first season, and just 17% and 27% for its second season.
“Meghan’s shaken by this,” a Hollywood insider shared with Radar Online. “Victoria has achieved exactly what she aspired to—moving seamlessly from celebrity to credible business figure. Meghan’s been trying to establish herself as a cultural powerhouse, but Victoria’s documentary has completely overshadowed her. It stings, no question about it.”
Once Close Friends, Now Reportedly Estranged
Meghan and Victoria were once close, having been introduced through their husbands, Prince Harry and David Beckham. The Beckhams attended Meghan and Harry’s royal wedding in 2018, and Meghan regularly wore Victoria’s designs during her time as a working royal.
Both couples even lived near one another in the Cotswolds before the friendship reportedly cooled.
According to biographer Tom Bower, Meghan became convinced that her royal title placed her above Victoria socially. “As a seasoned operator, Meghan deluded herself that her status in the Royal family placed her above Victoria in the social pecking order,” Bower claimed in House of Beckham (2024). He also alleged Meghan was irritated upon realising the Beckhams’ greater wealth.
The Fallout Over Press Leaks
In 2021, Meghan allegedly accused Victoria of sharing private information with the media. A source told The Sun, “Harry is very protective of Meghan and decided to deal with the matter head-on by directly contacting his good pal David. Harry was very polite, but obviously it was a pretty awkward exchange and David was mortified.”
The accusation later proved to be false—a beauty salon was ultimately blamed—but the friendship reportedly never recovered.
Meanwhile, the Beckhams have continued to maintain warm relationships with Prince William, Princess Catherine, and King Charles III—something that reportedly frustrates Meghan.
Meghan’s Struggles Add to the Pressure
Adding to the pressure, Meghan and Harry’s original USD $100 million Netflix contract has been scaled back to a “first-look” deal after it expired. Meghan’s lifestyle brand, As Ever, is also rumored to be underperforming, despite public claims of product sell-outs.
A close friend told Radar Online, “Meghan can see how naturally Victoria earns respect – she’s built a thriving brand, kept her marriage strong, and stayed out of controversy. That’s the kind of seamless reinvention Meghan always wanted. Now she’s having to watch Victoria pull it off instead.”
