LONDON, Nov 17: Reports indicate that Hollywood actor George Clooney and his human rights lawyer wife, Amal Clooney, have distanced themselves from Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, a friendship that was once considered close, sources said.

The Clooneys were among the high-profile attendees at the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s 2018 wedding at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, and joined the newlyweds at their private reception at Frogmore House.

However, despite their visible presence, the couple later told another wedding guest that they “didn’t know” Harry and Meghan particularly well. Rachel Johnson, sister of former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, recounted in AirMail: “There’s a story going around that while Carolyn Bartholomew, Diana’s former flatmate, was waiting for the wedding service to start, she turned to the couple alongside her and asked how they knew Harry or Meghan. ‘We don’t,’ the Clooneys answered brightly.”

Although initially distant, Meghan, 44, reportedly developed a closer friendship with Amal Clooney. A source told People Magazine in 2018: “Meghan and Amal have known each other for a while (and share) many interests. Amal has been helping Meghan settle into London life. It was a very natural friendship from day one.”

During this period, Harry and Meghan, 41 and 44 respectively, allegedly visited the Clooneys’ Lake Como, Italy, holiday residence. Royal correspondent Omid Scobie also highlighted their shared interests, noting, “George and Harry have a shared passion for motorcycles and checked out George's collection, and they also played basketball together.”

Clooney himself spoke about the Sussexes in 2019, telling MailOnline: “We live not too far from one another and we have dinners and stuff and we're friends with them for all the reasons that you're friends with anybody. They're just really nice, fun, kind people. They're a very loving couple, and they're going to be great parents.”

The actor also defended Meghan amid media scrutiny during a Good Morning Britain segment on ITV, describing press coverage of her after the royal wedding as “a little unjust” and “unfair,” while praising her as a “really kind and smart and intelligent young woman.”

Last year, reports that the Clooneys’ bond with Harry and Meghan had cooled surprised some royal observers. In 2023, the Clooneys reportedly became “more linked to King Charles,” attending a Prince’s Trust event in London in May, despite ongoing tensions between Harry and his father following the couple’s decision to step back as senior royals in 2020. A source told the media at the time: “The Clooneys clearly want to be on good terms with the King and the Royal Family.”

The evolution of this high-profile relationship reflects shifting dynamics in both royal and celebrity circles, underscoring how personal and professional ties can change over time.