Has Meghan's former BFF been permanently cancelled? Jessica Mulroney's 'problematic' remarks saw her dropped by TV networks - and there's no mention of her in Spare
When Meghan Markle first crossed paths with renowned stylist Jessica Mulroney in Toronto, they instantly connected.
Toronto's vibrant cultural and social scene is thought to have propelled Meghan into influential circles - with Jessica's guidance, she soon found herself brushing shoulders with numerous celebrities.
However, many of these friendships, particularly with Jessica and her husband Ben, have since faded, raising speculation that Meghan may have had ulterior motives in forming these connections.
In her 2022 book, The Palace Papers, Tina Brown writes: 'Within a couple of years, she [Meghan] was hobnobbing with the son of former prime minister Brian Mulroney, TV host Ben Mulroney, and his style-queen wife, Jessica; the heart-throb crooner Michael Bublé; and an assortment of celebrity chefs and film and fashion floaters.
'Meghan has always been astute in flattering fashionable and famous women and absorbing their network' and Jessica was 'Meghan's thirty-something role model in style and new BFF soon after the pair met,' the former editor of Tatler and The New Yorker continues.
The bestselling author believes Meghan has a lengthy list of 'strategic besties', including British-Bahraini fashion designer Misha Nonoo, Serena Williams, Priyanka Chopra and her 'ultimate ace-in-the-hole' Oprah Winfrey.
She writes: 'Physically, Jessica Mulroney could have been Meghan's sister and she was just as tireless. She had turned her private life into a permanent destination wedding, posting a ceaseless flow of images about her glossy existence.'
At the time, Jessica was a well-known fashion expert and brand consultant, who had dressed Canada's First Lady, Sophie Trudeau.
When Meghan Markle first crossed paths with renowned stylist Jessica Mulroney in Toronto, they instantly connected (pictured in 2016)
Jessica and Ben's extravagant three-day nuptials were covered on Canadian television news and the stylist had secured a lucrative deal with Pampers.
'It could not have escaped Meghan's notice that a crucial factor in Jessica's commercial leverage was her famous husband. "The Brandtastic Life of Ben and Jessica" was the title of a Toronto Life magazine puff piece on the Mulroneys,' Ms Brown pens.
When Meghan married into the Royal Family in 2018, the Canadian stylist appeared to be one of the most important people in the Duchess' life.
Jessica played an integral role in the wedding, with her daughter, Ivy, serving as a flower girl and her twin sons, John and Brian, as page boys.
Later that year, Jessica, who founded the Shoebox Project, a charity initiative that distributes shoeboxes full of gifts to women in need, joined the royal couple on their tour of Australia, Fiji, New Zealand and Tonga to help Meghan with her wardrobe.
She had previously assisted the Suits actress in planning her engagement outfit when her betrothal to Harry was officially announced in November 2017.
In the royal couple's Netflix docu-series, Meghan is seen video calling Jessica moments before Harry proposed in the grounds of Kensington Gardens to inform her friend that 'it's happening'.
And in 2019, Jessica gushed about the Duchess' 'very exciting' New York baby shower in an interview with Entertainment Tonight. However, this was the last time she publicly spoke about the royal.
Jessica played an integral role in Prince Harry and Meghan's 2018 wedding, with her daughter, Ivy, serving as a flower girl
Jessica's twin sons, John and Brian, were page boys and carried Meghan's long veil as she walked up the steps of St George's Chapel
Jessica and Ben Mulroney's three children feature in Harry and Meghan's wedding photos
Despite their close relationship, insiders claimed that the Duchess had permanently cut ties with Jessica in 2020, after she became embroiled in a race row with influencer Sasha Exeter.
Jessica is said to have 'taken offence' to a 'generic call to action' post Sasha had shared about the Black Lives Matter movement.
In a follow-up video, Sasha said: 'What happened next was a series of very problematic behaviour and antics.
'I'm by no means calling Jess a racist but what I will say is this: She is very well aware of her wealth, perceived power and privilege because of the colour of her skin and that, my friends, gave her the momentary confidence to come for my livelihood in writing. Textbook white privilege really, in my personal opinion.'
Following the claims, Jessica issued three public apologies but was dropped by a number of television networks, including Good Morning America, where she worked as a fashion contributor.
The stylist took to Instagram to reveal she was 'taking a week off to educate herself'.
The following year, it became increasingly evident that Meghan and Jessica's friendship had soured.
In June 2021, the mother-of-three posted a cryptic quote on her Instagram story, which read: 'Life changes. You lose love. You lose friends. You lose pieces of yourself that you never imagined would be gone.
'And then, without even realising it, those pieces come back. New love enters. Better friends come along. And a stronger, wiser you, is staring back in the mirror.'
Jessica is happily married to Ben Mulroney, who is the son of former prime minister Brian Mulroney
Jessica, Ben and Meghan shared a close bond for a number of years - up until 2020
Despite their close relationship, insiders claimed that the Duchess had permanently cut ties with Jessica in 2020, after she became embroiled in a race row with influencer Sasha Exeter
Influencer Sasha said Jessica is 'very well aware of her wealth, perceived power and privilege because of the colour of her skin'
Two months later, she told her followers: 'It can be lonely having the world, friends distance from you and not even ask how you are. But, thankfully, you find the things that truly matter…'
The following year, Jessica posted a picture of a sign reading: 'You are not too sensitive. You are not overreacting. If it hurts you it hurts you.'
She captioned the post: 'I wish I had a seen this a long time ago. I hope it makes a difference in your day too.'
After growing distant from Meghan, Jessica's fashion partnerships seemed to dry up for some time, before joining forces with Canadian high street label Aritizia.
She eventually secured deals with the online retailers Revolve and Fwrd, where she has been working as a stylist for two years.
After stepping back from The Shoebox Project in 2020, Jessica appears to have worked her way back into the charity's good books.
In November 2023, she attended the fundraising party with her daughter, Ivy.
Posting from the event, she wrote: 'Every year I am in awe of your generosity and support. What a night raising over 25k for women impacted by homelessness.'
Following the claims, Jessica issued three public apologies but was dropped by a number of TV networks, including Good Morning America, where she worked as a fashion consultant
In September 2022 Jessica posted a picture of this sign, with the message: 'I wish I had seen this a long time ago. I hope it makes a difference in your day too'
Jessica teased a potential I Do, Redo comeback last summer. The series was originally cancelled in 2020 following her race row with Sasha Exeter
Although she didn't attend the event, the mother-of-three plugged the 2023 Canadian Arts & Fashion Awards on Instagram.
She wrote: 'There is so much talent in this country and I thank you for always making me feel beautiful in your designs. Good luck tonight.'
Public relations expert Vince Ciarlo of Toronto-based Ciarlo Communications says he believes it's only right that Jessica should be 'back on the scene.'
He told Femail: 'Enough time has passed, and the world has changed since she was shamed. Like a true professional, she followed the playbook on the "Art of the Apology".
'She apologised, kept out of the limelight and rebuilt her brand and reputation and now deserves the respect and attention to share her expertise on creativity.'
In July 2023, she shared 'a little a preview' of a photoshoot she did in Italy with her Instagram followers.
She captioned the post: 'Makeup and fancy free. Can't wait to share the entire piece.' In response to two comments asking if the shoot was for Vogue, Jessica didn't shut down the suggestion and answered with heart emojis.
Not long after, in a post she later deleted, Jessica captioned a carousel of photos with the hashtags '#Vogue #Italy #FashionSpread.'
What's more, Jessica also teased a potential I Do, Redo comeback last summer.
She wrote on Instagram: 'If anyone knows me or what I love to do, it involves surprising brides and grooms with the wedding of their dreams. Finally, I'm getting back into the game.
'Coming to a screen near you.'
