The actor and human rights lawyer have been close friends with the royal couple, but recent events indicate that their loyalty may have shifted toward the British Royal Family.
This change in dynamic became evident as the Clooneys attended The Prince's Trust and TKMaxx & Homesense Awards 2023, an event closely associated with the Royal House of Windsor. According to sources involved in organizing the event, it was clear that George and Amal aimed to maintain a positive relationship with King Charles and the royal family.
Prior to this, George and Amal Clooney were friendly with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, attending their wedding in 2018, even though their acquaintance was not particularly extensive. However, their presence at the royal wedding was seen as a gesture of support for King Charles III, despite the exclusive spot assigned to the royal couple.
Carolyn Bartholomew, who once shared a room with Princess Diana, sat beside the Clooneys during the event and inquired about their connection to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Their response, "We don't," indicated a shift in their stance. George Clooney had previously danced with Meghan and Kate Middleton at a post-wedding celebration.
Over time, the two couples had grown closer, with Amal even joining a select group of friends for Meghan's baby shower in New York. Meghan and Harry were also reported to have visited the Clooneys' UK home on multiple occasions, as documented in the biography "Finding Freedom."
The distancing between the Clooneys and the Sussexes began before September 2022, but it became more apparent around that time. In September, George and Amal Clooney launched the Albie humanitarian award in New York, extending invitations to entertainment celebrities and notable figures. Surprisingly, Meghan and Harry were not among the guests at this event, reinforcing the idea that their relationship had changed.