Sussex Celebrity Abandonment: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Dispute With Prince William Sparks Social Exodus in Hollywood and London

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's four-year quest to "dominate" Hollywood has reportedly failed, thanks in part to Prince William, who is the president of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA).

"I think there is a sense that, possibly, friends, close friends, society friends, celebrity friends have sort of had to make a little bit of a choice," royal author Katie Nicholl shared when discussing the "Sussex or Wales" choice celebs have to make. "I remember being told by someone at the palace, there was this sense that you had to put your stake in one camp or the other."

The royal rebels thought, "'We'll be at the center of this sort of royal court, and everyone will come to see us,'" royal expert Richard Eden dished. "But it never seems to be working out like that."

This insight about the Sussex Hollywood freeze-out picking up steam again follows William, Prince George and Princess Charlotte's famous selfie with pop superstar Taylor Swift during her Eras Tour stop in London back on June 21.

"It's a very different relationship because, essentially, Taylor Swift is here, and she wants to show her respect for the royal family," Eden added when comparing how celebrities tend to become starstruck by the royals. "In a way, you could say [she is] paying court to Prince William, whereas with Harry and Meghan, it's the other way round. They're the ones who seem to be always sucking up to Hollywood royalty."

Harry and Meghan's attempt to transition into Hollywood has been met with varying degrees of scrutiny and challenges. Moving from the structured world of British royalty to the competitive and often unpredictable entertainment industry presented hurdles to the pair, even with Meghan's past acting experience.

"My sources tell me it’s all about the money, and the big power players in Hollywood aren’t jeopardizing their businesses for Harry and Meghan," television producer Paula Froelich told an outlet in July 2023. The French executive pointed out how longtime Sussex pal Oprah Winfrey had also jumped ship and frozen out the Montecito royals.

The Royal Observer reported on many big name Hollywood elites avoiding Harry and Meghan. One reason stems from the town's love of British royalty and pageantry, which reportedly has the likes of Steven Spielberg, Rob Lowe and others ignoring Team Sussex to stay on William and Kate, Princess of Wales,' good side.

Froelich added that "everyone’s got a movie to sell and a Broadway play they want to debut on screen in London or [London’s] West End, and they know that Prince William and Kate — who are the biggest [celebrities] get over there won’t show if they think someone is friends with Harry and Meghan."

With the future king and queen forming close bonds with many of the U.K.'s biggest stars, the word has apparently gotten around to Los Angeles to increase the Tinseltown Sussex "freeze out."

Daily Express reported on the expert revelations.