Prince Harry allegedly “dropped” comedian Jack Whitehall as a friend after he began his relationship with Meghan Markle, it has emerged.

The Fresh Meat star made the confession earlier this week during an appearance in an episode of the Australian Jase & Lauren podcast.

The 36-year-old said that he was “quite good friends” with the Duke of Sussex and that he had a “few nights out” with him, but he stopped after he started seeing the Duchess.

Mr Whitehall said: “I’ve come into contact with a couple of [the royals] in the past.

“I was quite good friends with Harry back in the day. Pre-Meghan, when he was a terror.”

But when host Lauren Phillips asked if he “dropped” by the duke after he met Meghan, the comedian replied: “Yeah.”

Mr Whitehall clarified that he wasn’t part of Harry’s “inner circle” but did have some nights out with him.

He said: “I mean, I wasn’t, I wouldn’t say, part of the inner circle.

“But no, I had a few nights out with him when he was quite fun.”

The two men have been photographed together over the years, including at the Royal Variety Performance in London in 2015.

After the 2015 appearance, the comic claimed that he may have been “banned” from seeing his pal after making a cheeky joke.

He said: “I think I have been banned because I called him ‘Ginger Nuts’ at the Royal Variety.”

During the 2015 Royal Variety Performance, Prince Harry could be seen shaking his head while laughing as he watched the show.

Notably, Mr Whitehall was absent from Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding in 2018.