13 celebrities with British royals for best friends, from Meghan Markle’s pals Priyanka Chopra and Serena Williams, to Princess Diana’s close connection with Elton John

Jan 18 , 2022

The late People’s Princess was so close to the Rocket Man singer that he’s still connected to her sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, today

Ellie Goulding sang at Kate Middleton’s wedding and is friends with Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice, while David and Victoria Beckham met Queen Elizabeth at Buckingham Palace

It’s no secret that the royal family has an almost celebrity-like status in Britain – and they get on famously with many screen stars too. Princess Diana had friends like Elton John, who has remained close with her sons even in their adulthood. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have plenty of A-lister neighbours in Montecito, California – of course – while Princess Eugenie is friends with Ellie Goulding and Cara Delevingne.

Read on for our roundup of celebrities with British royal connections …

1. Elton John

Elton John, a close friend of Princess Diana, remains connected to her son Prince Harry to this day. Photo: @eltonjohn/Instagram

Elton John and Princess Diana met in 1981 at Prince Andrew’s birthday party, according to Harper’s Bazaar. As her close friend, he remains connected to Prince William and Prince Harry.

John sang Candle in the Wind at Diana’s funeral in 1997. He performed again at a tribute concert in her memory in 2007, and he has attended both Prince William’s and Prince Harry’s weddings.

2. David Beckham

Prince William and David Beckham first met in 2012. Photo: @davidbeckham/Instagram

David and Victoria Beckham became friends with the royal family through attending many functions together over the years. The Beckhams attended both Prince William’s and Prince Harry’s weddings, and they have met with Queen Elizabeth at Buckingham Palace on several occasions.

“Yeah, I think I would,” Beckham told Esquire in 2013 when asked if he’d describe Prince William as a friend. “We’ve done a lot of functions together. It’s a very normal relationship. With Harry, as well. They’re very easy to get along with.”

Beckham has also stayed in touch with Harry since he stepped back from royal life.

“I haven’t spoken to Harry about him moving. We speak as friends and that’s the most important thing for me,” Beckham told Entertainment Tonight in 2020. “I think he’s enjoying being a young father for the first time and that’s what we always spoke about. When you are a parent, it changes everything for you. He always needs to be happy.”