How Meghan Markle’s Closest Friendship Collapsed Behind Palace Walls
By Chukwudi Onyewuchi on November 10, 2025 at 8:30 AM EST
Meghan Markle and Jessica Mulroney were once as close as sisters.
They laughed together, supported each other, and shared many special moments before Meghan joined the royal family.
However, over time, their friendship began to fall apart. What started as a strong bond turned into silence, leaving many wondering what really happened between them.
Behind the palace walls, one of Meghan’s longest and closest friendships came to a painful end.
How Meghan Markle And Jessica Mulroney Found Each Other
When Meghan moved to Toronto in 2011 to film “Suits,” she found an instant friend in Jessica, a well-connected stylist from one of Canada’s most prominent families.
Jessica, married to TV personality Ben Mulroney, came from a household known for its success in the fashion business.
She welcomed the duchess into her social circle, introducing her to Canadian high society. They bonded over Pilates, yoga, and a love of style.
Jessica’s influence helped Meghan refine her public image. According to a Toronto designer, “It was because of Jess that Meghan began wearing clothes rather than clothes wearing her.”
A public relations executive also later described the pair as “BFFs, minus, as it turns out, the forever part,” calling their friendship “a parable about opportunism.”
Meghan’s Stylish Best Friend Became Her Confidante
Meghan Markle and Jessica’s friendship quickly deepened beyond fashion. They often appeared side by side, matching in hairstyles and coordinated outfits.
On Instagram, they documented their trips and shared inside jokes. During one getaway, Jessica posted, “Girls trip has officially begun with @meghanmarkle (which means don’t bother me unless you have to).”
The pair vacationed together on the Amalfi Coast, toasted over wine, and shared photos of poolside laughter.
When Meghan began dating Prince Harry, Jessica became her trusted confidante.
In the “Harry & Meghan” Netflix documentary, the 44-year-old was seen FaceTiming her friend before Harry proposed, saying excitedly, “Oh, my God, Jess, it’s happening. He told me not to peek.”
Jessica was there for every milestone, even helping plan Meghan’s royal wedding and including her own children in the ceremony.
Proudly sharing a photo of her twins holding Meghan’s gown, she wrote, “Proud friend. Proud mom.” Their friendship seemed unshakable.
Jessica Mulroney’s Loyalty To Meghan Markle Was Public And Fierce
Even after Meghan joined the royal family, Jessica remained a loyal ally.
The Marketing consultant traveled to London and styled the Duchess for major appearances, including the 2018 royal tour of Australia and the Pacific.
She often came to Meghan’s defense when critics questioned her motives or lifestyle.
One time when the mom of two and her husband faced backlash for their private jet use, Jessica fired back at the critics.
“When someone faces unfair criticism, you call it out. When that person is your friend and your family, you call those critics what they truly are. Shame on you, you racist bullies,” she shared.
The 45-year-old was also a guest at Meghan’s star-studded baby shower in New York and reportedly helped arrange their home in Canada when the Sussexes stepped down as working royals.
Around that time, she posted a quote that seemed aimed at her friend’s growing independence. “A strong woman looks a challenge in the eye and gives it a wink,” she wrote.
Their friendship had survived Meghan’s royal rise, but the toughest test was still ahead.
A Public Controversy Pushed Meghan And Jessica Apart
Meghan Markle and Jessica Mulroney’s friendship crumbled in 2020, when the latter was accused of showing “textbook white privilege” in a dispute with influencer Sasha Exeter.
Jessica defended herself by referencing Meghan, saying, “I have lived a very public and personal experience with my closest friend where race was front and center. It was deeply educational. I learned a lot from that.”
However, her comment caused backlash, leading to the loss of her TV deals with Good Morning America and CTV.
Meghan reportedly distanced herself from her longtime friend during the fallout. Sources in Toronto told the Daily Mail that the rift went beyond the controversy.
One said Meghan felt Jessica was “tone-deaf about racial injustice.” Another said she was disappointed that Jessica, whom she once admired for empowering women, seemed to be influenced by her husband’s conservative views.
“Maybe Meghan assumed Jessica was more liberal than she really is,” one source shared.
Meghan Markle And Jessica Mulroney’s Friendship Ended In Silence
In the months that followed, Jessica’s marriage ended, and her career never recovered.
She tried to show that their friendship was intact, posting, “Meghan and I are family. She is the kindest friend and has checked up on me everyday.”
However, their closeness faded quietly. They were no longer seen together, and Jessica stopped following Meghan’s social accounts.
Her absence from “Harry & Meghan” on Netflix and Meghan’s new lifestyle projects spoke volumes.
In 2022, she shared a message hinting at acceptance, writing, “The best thing I ever did was learn how to move without the crowd.”
People close to her said she now wants to “move on with her life and put her whole Meghan chapter behind her.”
Meanwhile, Meghan has stepped back into the spotlight, recently filming “Close Personal Friends,” her first acting role in eight years.
