When Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltz said "I do" in front of their nearest and dearest in April this year, it was an occasion of sheer joy for both families. But in the wake of their extravagant Floridian wedding – which was held at the Peltz's mansion in Palm Beach – there has been a seemingly ever bigger divide growing between the Beckhams and the newlywed couple.
And now, insiders say that despite initial hopes that thew festive season could be a healing time, there's been more tension over Christmas plans – with the Beckhams' eldest son, 23, and Nicola, 27, very likely spending it apart from David, 47, and Victoria.
A source says, "Vic has been dealt a massive blow with Nicola announcing that she and Brooklyn will not be spending Christmas with David and Victoria, and instead will be having it with her family in Florida, and it's made her feel teary. Vic is really upset. It's causing even more tension than before. Brooklyn doesn't see what the issue is and has promised that they'll be taking it in turns each year."
Rumours of a feud began with claims made shortly after the nuptials that Bates Motel star Nicola had chosen a Valentino wedding gown rather than one designed by Victoria, 48. While Nicola has shut down hearsay of a rift and joined her husband and his family in celebrating Posh's first-ever Paris Fashion Week in September, the actress caused further tension when she addressed what really happened when it came to her wedding dress the same month.
In an interview, Nicola said, "We connected to start designing the dress, and then a few days went by and I didn't hear anything. Victoria called my mum and said her atelier couldn't make it."
Brooklyn, meanwhile, has always been his wife's biggest supporter, calling her his "first priority" and saying he "never wants to see her upset".
Speculation of a fallout also grew when fans noticed that Nicola and Vic had ceased regular social media interactions, including not liking each other's Instagram posts. And in July, Brooklyn missed an entire Beckham family yachting holiday to part with Nicola's loved ones instead.
And insiders now say that the Christmas snub will be hard on Brooklyn’s siblings – Romeo, 20, Cruz, 17, and Harper, 11 – and Posh is worried about the example her eldest son is setting.
“Vic fears that there’s going to be a great divide at Christmas, and the other kids will be really missing Brooklyn,” a source tells Closer. “Vic doesn’t want her kids to take Christmas for granted and think that it’s OK to be away from family.”
It hasn’t been the easiest of rides for the Beckhams of late. Earlier this month, David faced backlash for flying to the Eco Awards in Boston to present an accolade, a decision which saw him branded a “hypocrite” by many, as they raised the argument of how many private and long-haul flights he’s taken this year.
The football ace has also been slammed for his involvement in the Qatar World Cup owing to the country’s record of human rights violations – and the fact he pocketed an alleged £150m for his role as ambassador. Meanwhile, Posh hasn’t been without her own controversies, as it was reported in August that her clothing company had run up debts of almost £54m.
But insiders add that despite all that’s gone on, they would love to be on better terms with Brooklyn and Nicola by next Christmas, with their goal for a reconciliatory 2023.
“Despite David urging Vic to accept and come to terms with it all, she’s not giving up without a fight and is tempted to tell Nicola that she’s going to invite them over during the holidays and, if there are split festivities, everyone will be disappointed,” the source says. “David and Vic would love for Brooklyn and Nicola to make it over at some point, but if they don’t, all they can hope is that tensions ease in 2023 and that they can all mark the new year as a fresh start for everyone.”