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Home Lifestyle Backlash over Beckham’s Buckingham Palace tea party
Lifestyle
July 11, 2017

Backlash over Beckham’s Buckingham Palace tea party

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The Beckhams, pictured at Wimbledon, both posted pictures online of Harper at the palace

The Beckhams, pictured at Wimbledon, both posted pictures online of Harper at the palace

THERE has been a backlash over a birthday party held for the Beckhams’ daughter at Buckingham Palace.

The tea party was hosted by Prince Andrew and the York family last week ahead of Harper’s sixth birthday on Monday.

David and Victoria Beckham posted pictures of the event on social media – including one of Harper and her friends meeting Princess Eugenie.

“Just to be clear this wasn’t the palace opening the gates for Harper’s birthday party,” the former footballer said on Instagram.

“This was a tea party where us and other guests were invited so it was a beautiful thing to do with my mum, Harper plus a few school friends.”

Beckham's second Instagram post from the party, showing Harper dressed as a princess
David Beckham posted this image of Harper, her friends and Eugenie on Instagram

But there has been heavy criticism of the Beckhams being allowed to “get special treatment”.

Dickie Arbiter, a former Buckingham Palace press secretary, said: “None of them has got a right to be there.

“Is it being opened up as a theme park? It devalues what the place is all about. Why do the Beckhams get special treatment?”

One Twitter user wrote: “Harper Beckham at Buckingham Palace? Pass the sick bag. What about Grenfell victims who have nothing?”

Another said: “Party at Bucks Palace? Don’t think they’d let me do that.”

David's last Instagram post from the party, thanking the palace for 'opening the gates to the birthday party'
Beckham also posted this photo of his mother and Harper on Instagram

Royal sources have told Sky News that Prince Andrew would have met the group – and that he would have met any “costs” of the party.

The sources said the Yorks are friendly with the Beckhams.

A spokesman for Sarah, Duchess of York, claimed it was not her event – but was a “private family event” which was a “small family tea”.

A Buckingham Palace spokesman said: “From time to time, members of the Royal Family who reside at royal residences invite guests to visit them privately.”