David Beckham and Prince Harry
When you think of Prince Harry, James Corden, and
David Beckham
, you probably imagine three good friends laughing and having fun. But apparently, not all their interactions have been smooth sailing. In fact, one night almost two decades ago, things got so tense between Harry and Corden that it took Beckham’s calm approach to ease the situation.
The story dates back to December 2011, when Harry was still an active member of the
royal family
, long before his move to California.
He and David Beckham, along with a few close friends, kicked off the holiday season with a "pre-Christmas boys' night" at the Arts Club in London. The evening was filled with laughter, drinks, and plenty of friendly banter.
James Corden, having just finished his performance in the West End play One Man, Two Guvnors, entered the scene a few hours after the festivities had begun. Sober and somewhat more reserved compared to the already tipsy crowd, he was quickly met with Harry cracking a joke about his appearance—an innocent enough comment, but one that James didn’t find funny at all.
Corden, initially laughing, quickly went silent when Harry joked about his appearance, visibly annoyed. The mood shifted from fun to awkward. But Beckham, with his natural ability to stay calm, quickly addressed the situation. He told Corden that Harry didn’t mean any offence, despite the poorly-timed joke. With Beckham’s smooth handling of the moment, the group settled back into a good mood, and the night carried on. They even went to the Savoy for more drinks, and from that point, Harry and Corden’s friendship grew stronger.
As with most great friendships, there are a few bumps along the road. But in the case of Harry, Corden, and Beckham, this particular night in 2011 was one of those moments that, looking back, probably makes for a good laugh. Harry and Corden went on to build a close friendship, with everything from fun late-night TV appearances to family playdates with Harry’s kids, Archie and Lilibet.
Beckham’s role in this drama wasn’t just a one-time deal. It’s pretty well known that he’s the kind of guy who knows how to keep the peace—whether on the football field or in his personal life. So, it’s no surprise that he managed to navigate the tricky situation between his two friends and keep things light.
Fast forward to today, and Harry and Corden have long put the past behind them. Their bond is stronger than ever, with Beckham still playing a key role in keeping things harmonious. In fact, Corden even convinced Harry to join him on the Late Late Show in 2021 for an unforgettable karaoke ride-along.
Looking back, it’s hard to believe that a night of drinks and jokes almost took a turn. But thanks to Beckham, we got that legendary Fresh Prince rap. So whenever these three are together, you can trust Beckham’s magic is at work.
English (US) ·