Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have strategic motive for befriending ‘underwhelming’ celebs

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s social engagements, particularly their choice of friends, have sparked intrigue and speculation. According to a royal expert, their preference for less prominent celebrities might be driven by a strategic goal that aligns with their current lifestyle and public image.

Since moving to California, Harry and Meghan have expanded their social network, mingling with various new acquaintances. Recently, Meghan was spotted having lunch with Kimberly Williams-Paisley, known for her role in *Father of the Bride*. Last year, the couple attended a fundraiser hosted by actor Kevin Costner, famous for his role in *Bodyguard*.

Despite these appearances, the Sussexes have rarely been seen with high-profile Hollywood stars like Oprah Winfrey or George Clooney and his wife Amal, who were prominent attendees at their 2018 wedding. A royal expert suggests this might be a deliberate choice.

In a discussion on Vanity Fair’s podcast *Dynasty: The Royal Family’s Most Challenging Year*, royal correspondent Katie Nicholl shared her thoughts on Harry and Meghan’s social circle. She expressed some surprise at the lack of high-profile celebrities in their new network, noting, “I’ve been a little underwhelmed with the celebrities they’ve been seen with. I love Kevin Costner, but I thought they’d be mingling more with A-list celebrities. I expected to see them more often with Oprah Winfrey, Gwyneth Paltrow, and others from that elite circle, but they haven’t.”

Nicholl speculated that this could be part of the couple’s strategy to maintain a lower profile. “Perhaps they want to live a life that’s a bit more below the radar,” she suggested. “By avoiding the high-profile circles, they might be trying to steer clear of constant paparazzi attention and celebrity magazine coverage. In Montecito, they seem to have found a way to do that while still enjoying a vibrant social life behind closed doors.”

Additionally, Nicholl discussed the impact of Harry and Meghan’s departure from the UK on their friendships. Their dramatic exit from Britain, coupled with the ongoing rift with Prince William, has reportedly strained their relationships with old friends. Many of those once close to the Sussexes now feel compelled to choose sides in the ongoing family feud.

Nicholl highlighted the consequences of this divide: “There’s a sense that their ties with certain friends have been severed. Friends, whether they are from the society, celebrity, or close-knit circles, seem to be put in a position where they have to pick a side. There was a feeling within the Palace that one had to align with either William or Harry.”

She illustrated this with an example from a recent high-society event. The Duke of Westminster’s wedding saw William in attendance, while Harry’s presence was reportedly met with reluctance. “Harry was invited due to longstanding friendships,” Nicholl explained, “but he was essentially asked to step aside because having both brothers at such an event would have been awkward given the current tensions.”

This situation has, according to Nicholl, led to a loss of some friends who might have found it uncomfortable to navigate the fallout from the brothers’ dispute. The Sussexes’ social circle has thus evolved, with their choice of associates reflecting a broader strategy to align with their preferred lifestyle and avoid unnecessary public scrutiny.