Are Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltz the New Harry and Meghan? Family Feud Sparks Comparisons

Brooklyn Beckham's decision to publicly air grievances against his parents, David and Victoria Beckham, has ignited intense public debate — a narrative that's somehow similar to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's estrangement from the British royal family. While the situations differ in key ways, it evokes a familiar story of celebrity, family tensions, and media scrutiny.

When Family Tensions Went Public

This January, Brooklyn broke years of silence with a lengthy Instagram story posts in which he accused his parents of trying to sabotage his marriage to actress Nicola Peltz. He wrote that his parents had prioritised 'Brand Beckham' over personal relationships and that years of pressure culminated in a breakdown of trust. He concluded: 'I do not want to reconcile with my family,' and insisted he is standing up for himself for the first time in his life.

This mirrors, at least superficially, Prince Harry's explosive break with the House of Windsor. Both men are wealthy figures born into high-profile families, and both have publicly criticised their families' handling of personal relationships.

For Harry and Meghan, that criticism extended to the British press and palace institutions, which the couple say propagated narratives laced with hostility, discrimination, and misrepresentation.

Shared Ground: Family, Fame, and Media Narratives

From Close-Knit to Public Feud

Brooklyn was once close with his parents and extended family, often sharing family moments on social media. During the holiday season in 2024, he posted a complete family picture on Instagram with a caption: 'Merry Christmas x love you guys so much.'

On the other hand, Harry was deeply embedded in royal life, attending official events and family gatherings before his marriage to Meghan. While both relationships appeared harmonious at first, they later became public flashpoints.

In Brooklyn's situation, his concerns emerged through Instagram posts addressing the way his parents treated him and his wife. Harry's strained relationship with the royal family gained significant attention following his and Meghan's decision to step back from their senior royal roles in 2020.

Criticism of Media Treatment

Both couples have openly criticised the media, too. Harry and Meghan have repeatedly condemned press coverage as intrusive. Notably in 2019, a legal action against The Mail on Sunday was filed for publishing a private letter Meghan had sent to her father, as reported by CNBC.

Brooklyn has likewise called out media when he explicitly accused his parents and their team of going to the press and manipulating narratives about him and his family. In his recent long Instagram posts, he claimed his family's portrayal of him was 'completely backwards.' He said they had been the controlling force in his life and misframing his relationship with Nicola.

Defending Their Partners

A shared element is the defence of their spouses. Harry has consistently challenged how the press treated Meghan, both legally and publicly. This month, he provided testimony in London's High Court, stating that British tabloids had turned Meghan's life into 'an absolute misery,' according to People. He described the invasive and harmful nature of the coverage, arguing that the intensity of media attacks influenced their choice to step back from royal duties.

Harry has taken legal action against several prominent UK publishers, alleging breaches of privacy and unfair reporting aimed at Meghan and their family.

Brooklyn has also defended Nicola, rejecting portrayals that she isolated him from his family. He publicly stated on social media that claims of Nicola being manipulative were 'completely backwards,' while accusing his parents of controlling narratives in the press.

Key Differences: Backgrounds & Financial Position

Despite these surface-level similarities, key differences distinguish the Beckhams' situation from that of Harry and Meghan.

Financial Position

One clear point of divergence is financial backing. Nicola comes from a wealthy American family. She is the daughter of billionaire investor Nelson Peltz, adding a layer of financial autonomy that Meghan did not have prior to her royal marriage.

This context changes the power dynamics. Meghan faced criticism partly due to perceptions of her outsider status within the institution and without independent wealth. However, Nicola's wealth plays a very minor role in the feud.

Family Foundations

Harry and Meghan's conflict was rooted in centuries-old institutional tradition and constitutional roles. Their disputes had implications for the British monarchy and public office.

By contrast, the Beckham feud, while highly publicised, is a family dispute within the private sphere of celebrity culture and brand management. There are no institutional duties or constitutional implications at stake — only reputational and relational consequences.

How Social Media Became a Battlefield

In both cases, social media functions as a battleground where narratives are forged, disputed, and dissected. Harry and Meghan's public-facing interviews and social media statements reshaped global perceptions of the royal family. Similarly, Brooklyn's Instagram posts have become primary source material for those analysing the Beckham dispute, with fans and critics parsing every line online.

Yet, the way these narratives are consumed also highlights a generational shift. The Beckham feud unfolded rapidly across platform stories and viral threads, while the Sussexes' drama played out over years, involving documentaries, books, and formal interviews.

Both rifts highlight how media, may it be tradition or digital, amplifies private family disputes. Platforms now shape public perception in real time.