Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been labelled ‘Hollywood nobodies’ by one royal author after seemingly failing to attend Oscar parties.
The couple, who are based in Montecito, California, were nowhere to be seen at Sir Elton John’s AIDS Foundation’s 31st Annual Academy Awards Viewing Party, where Hollywood A-listers were seen dancing the night away.
Speaking on GB News yesterday, Tom Bower, author and royal expert, suggested that the Duke and Duchess’s absence at the select event showed their influence in Hollywood is dwindling.
It is not known whether the couple turned down an invitation to the event, or if they were simply taken off the guest list.
Speaking on TV yesterday, Bower said: ‘They weren’t even invited to Elton John’s party at the Oscars. They really are nobodies in Hollywood!.’
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been labelled ‘Hollywood nobodies’ by one royal author after seemingly failing to attend Oscar parties
Sir Elton has been a constant support in Harry’s life, performing at his wedding to Meghan in 2018 in Windsor.
Last year, the couple shared a personal message with Sir Elton John ahead of his farewell concert at the Dodgers Stadium.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were featured in a compilation video showing stars paying tribute to Sir Elton ahead of the gig, which aired live on Disney+.
In the clip, which appeared to have been filmed at the couple’s Archewell offices, Prince Harry said: ‘Thank you for being the friend that you were to my mum. Thank you for being our friend, thank you for being a friend to our kids.’
The couple both said ‘Hi Elton’ before Meghan said: ‘We just wanted to say congratulations!
‘We are just so proud of you and so grateful that we were able to see you on your farewell tour also.’
The couple were thought to be absent at the party this weekend, with royal author Tom Bower speculating they have limited influence in Hollywood (pictured in December)
Harry said: ‘Thank you for entertaining everybody for so many decades. Thank you for being the friend that you were to my mum.
‘Thank you for being our friend, thank you for being a friend to our kids and thank you for entertaining people right around the world.
‘Even though this is officially your retirement, this will not be your last gig and we know that. We love you and congratulations on your incredible career.’
The clip finished with Meghan placing her head on to Harry’s chest and blowing a kiss to the camera.
Famed musician Sir Elton was good friends with Harry’s late mother Princess Diana and maintained a close relationship with the Duke after her death in 1997.
Sir Elton and his husband David Furnish were also among the many celebrity guests invited to attend Harry and Meghan’s wedding in May 2018.
The Sussexes visited the £15million palatial home of Castel Mont-Alban owned by Sir Elton John and David overlooking the Promenade des Anglais during their holiday to the French Riviera in August 2019.
Sir Elton pictured with Dana Blumberg and Robert Kraft during his AIDS Foundation’s 31st Annual Academy Awards Viewing Party
The trip to Nice came shortly after Harry and Meghan had returned by private jet to the UK from Ibiza after a six-night break on the Spanish island to mark the Duchess’s 38th birthday.
Elton later released a statement defending the couple, saying he had paid for the private jet.
Described as a ‘rock’ to the royal rebels, Sir Elton defended the pair following the backlash over their use of four private jets in 11 days in 2019, calling Princess Diana one of his ‘dearest friends’ whose family he ‘felt a profound sense of obligation to protect.’
‘Elton speaks to Harry and Meghan every day. He’s an inspiration, an almost “motherly” figure,’ a royal insider told the Mirror in 2020.
‘He is a constant support, especially to Meghan, and is very protective of them both,’ they added.
While a source close to Sir Elton added: ‘He has been their rock. So while he would never tell them what to do, he has been a listening ear and support throughout.’
Filmmaker David, husband to musician Sir Elton, was due to serve as an executive producer on Meghan’s first animated series Pearl.
While few details were released about the series, many believed the show was based – at least in part – on Meghan’s own childhood, citing how she named the show and its title character Pearl, the origin meaning of her name.
David praised Meghan for her leadership skills while making the programme.
‘She’s a fantastic collaborator, amazing leader,’ said filmmaker David Furnish, 58, at the HELLO! Inspiration Awards.
‘And we’re just very, very excited to be working with, you know, someone as influential and as supportive as Netflix.’ However, the project ended up being cancelled.
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