When Prince Harry's close friend Hugh Van Cutson partnered with none other than Jeremy Clarkson, it delivered a raw snub to Harry and Meghan Markle.
Anyone doubting the extent of the Duke of Sussex's rift with some of his oldest and closest friends need only watch the new series of "Clarkson's Farm." Jeremy Clarkson, previously criticized by Prince Harry for a notorious article in The Sun, expressed deep-seated animosity towards Meghan, stating he despised her on a cellular level.
Disturbingly, he added that he wanted to see her paraded through the streets naked while people threw excrement at her. Despite Clarkson's subsequent apology, Harry's spokesman emphasized the need to address his pattern of spreading hate rhetoric, dangerous conspiracy theories, and misogyny through his articles.
Hugh's appearance alongside Clarkson would have been unthinkable if he and Harry were still best pals. Hugh, whose late father was one of King Charles's oldest friends, has known Harry and Prince William all their lives. William even served as the senior usher at Hugh's wedding to Rose Astor in 2005 and is the godfather to their daughter Grace. Grace notably stole the show as a bridesmaid at William and Catherine's wedding, covering her ears on the Buckingham Palace balcony due to the cheering crowds. Hugh and Rose made efforts to make Meghan feel at home after her move to the UK, inviting her and Harry to supper at their West London house and attending their wedding in 2018.
The first sign of trouble between the Van Cutsons and the Sussexes emerged in 2020 after Harry and Meghan's announcement to step back as senior royals. Hugh's wife, Rose, publicly mocked the announcement, jokingly comparing it to stepping back from her responsibilities on her tax return. She preferred activities like enjoying coffee, seeing friends, loving her family, and doing yoga over administrative tasks. Rose, who led the membership committee at Soho Farmhouse, where Meghan had her hen party, later declined to discuss her comments further. In his 2023 memoir, Harry confirmed his rift with the Van Cutsons, revealing that Hugh's mother, Emily, and one of her sons had expressed anger over his interview with Oprah Winfrey.
Prince Harry's close mates, including members of the Van Cutson family, had chastised him for revealing family secrets on television. The presence of Jeremy Clarkson, known for his controversial remarks about Meghan, among Harry's friends only highlighted the shrinking social circle of the Sussexes. It's evident that their penchant for drama and tell-all antics isn't winning them any friends in high places. Harry realizes that betraying the trust of the upper class has its consequences, as seen in dwindling invitations and strained relationships.
