What happened to Jessica Mulroney after she was ditched by Meghan Markle? From social media digs at the Duchess to lost television work for stylist who played starring role at the royal wedding
When Meghan Markle married into the Royal Family in 2018, Canadian stylist Jessica Mulroney undoubtedly appeared to be one of the most important people in the Duchess’ life.
The mother-of-three, 43, from Toronto, played such an integral role in the wedding that she arrived at the St George’s Chapel in Windsor alongside the Princess of Wales and her children even acted as pageboys and bridesmaid.
In Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s bombshell Netflix docu-series, the Duchess of Sussex is seen FaceTiming Jessica moments before Prince Harry proposed in the grounds of Kensington Gardens to inform her BFF that ‘it’s happening’.
As well as attending Meghan Markle’s lavish New York baby shower in 2019, Jessica – who is married to Ben Mulroney, son of the former Canadian PM – joined the couple on their royal tour of Australia, Fiji, New Zealand and Tonga and is also said to have played an ‘influential’ role in Megxit.
Over the past few years, rumours of a rift between the two women have been swirling – as the Duchess appeared to distance herself from her former BFF after Jessica was caught up in a ‘white privilege’ race row in the wake of the Black Lives Matter movement.
Pictured: Jessica Mulroney and her daughter Ivy seen arriving at St George’s Chapel for Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s wedding
Pictured: Meghan Markle and Jessica Mulroney in images shared on Instagram
Although Jessica has not recently commented on her apparent falling out with the Duchess of Sussex, she has hinted about their friendship break-up on her Instagram on several occasions.
In recent months, the stylist has also suggested that she is preparing to return to TV in a bid to ‘uncancel’ herself.
As Jessica tries to rescue her career, here FEMAIL reveals how the stylist – who first met Meghan on the set of Suits – has adapted to life after Meghan Markle.
Denying Friendship Break-Up
At the beginning of 2020, Jessica was vocal in her support of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle following Megxit.
The Canadian stylist posted a defiant quote on her Instagram account, saying: ”A strong woman looks a challenge in the eye and gives it a wink.’
Months later, the two women were said to become distant when lifestyle blogger Sasha Exeter called out Jessica Mulroney – who ‘took 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 […]
Pictured: Meghan Markle and Prince Harry surrounded by their pageboys and bridesmaids on their wedding day
In summer 2016, Meghan and friends – including Jessica – embarked on a ‘month of wanderlust’ around Europe
‘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 blogger’s claims, Jessica issued three public apologies, however she still faced consequences and was dropped by numerous television networks.
DailyMail.com exclusively revealed that ABC severed ties with her, confirming that Jessica would not be returning to her occasional role as a fashion contributor on Good Morning America.
Canadian TV network CTV also cut off ties with the stylist, revealing that it would be pulling all episodes of her wedding-themed reality TV show I Do Redo from its platform.
Pictured: Lifestyle blogger Sasha Exeter accused Jessica Mulroney ‘problematic behaviour’ after she posted about Black Lives Matter in 2020
Jessica issued three public apologies, however she still faced consequences and was dropped by numerous television networks
In one instance, commenting on a video clip shared by Sasha, Jessica said she was ‘unequivocally sorry’, writing: ‘As I told you privately, I have lived a very public and personal experience with my closest friend where race was front and centre. It was deeply educational.’
Despite their close relationship, insiders claimed that the Duchess had permanently cut ties with Jessica after she became embroiled in a race row with the influencer.
An insider told Page Six that the duo’s relationship was already on the rocks because Meghan felt that Jessica was trying to ‘make a career out of the friendship.’
‘The white privilege row has really given Meghan the excuse she was waiting for to cut Jess off for good,’ the source said. ‘I don’t know what the tipping point was, but Jess has been on the outs for some time.
Pictured: Meghan Markle and Jessica Mulroney attend an Instagram dinner in Toronto in May 2016
In September 2020, Jessica addressed the rumours of rift between her and the Duchess of Sussex.
She wrote on her Instagram Stories: ‘I’m going to tell this once and for all. Meghan and I are family.
‘She is the kindest friend and has checked up on me everyday.’
Six months later, Jessica shared a pic in an Instagram Story of the flowers she received from Markle on her 41st birthday, on which she wrote: ‘LUCKIEST FRIEND XXXX, THX MM.’
Subtle jabs at Meghan
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.
Jessica Mulroney shared a cryptic post about ‘losing friends and finding better ones’ – after her friendship with Meghan Markle appeared to come to an end
Jessica posted an image in September 2022 of a sign that read ‘You are not too sensitive. Your are not overreacting. If it hurts you it hurts you’
‘And then, without even realizing it, those pieces come back. New love enters. Better friends come along. And a stronger, wiser you, is staring back in the mirror.’
In August 2021, Jessica 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. Your 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.’
Pictured: Jessica Mulroney seen visiting the vineyard in France that makes Meghan Markle’s favourite wine
When Meghan Markle closed down her lifestyle blog The Tig in April 2017 before announcing her engagement to Prince Harry later that year, she described it as a ‘passion project’ that ‘evolved into an amazing community of inspiration, support, fun and frivolity’. Above, Meghan sips Tignanello, which led to The Tig
Last July, Jessica and her family travelled to Italy – where she once visited with Meghan during the Duchess’ ‘single girl summer’ in 2016.
In a video montage of the trip, Jessica could be seen walking around the Antinori winery – where Meghan’s favourite wine Tignanello is made.
Meghan launched her blog The Tig in 2014 and named the site after her favourite wine.
Lost fashion deals
Before the race row erupted, Jessica Mulroney was a contributor on Good Morning America and Canada’s Cityline – where she worked as a stylist.
She also hosted her own wedding-themed series called I Do, Redo – where couples whose weddings had gone awry were given the chance to have another special day.
However, these regular television presenting jobs were collateral damage following the Sasha Exeter fall-out.
Jessica also also stepped down from the board of directors of The Shoebox Project, the charity she co-founded a decade ago to ‘provide gifts to women living in shelters or accessing community support,’ according to public records.
‘In light of recent events, the charity supports Jessica’s decision to step away from the Board of Directors,’ read a statement from the organization at the time.
Jessica Mulroney lost work as a result of her fall-out with Sasha Exeter – but has recently been working with fashion retailer Revolve
Pictured: the Toronto home Jessica Mulroney shared with her husband Ben and their three children
After growing distant from Meghan Markle, Jessica’s fashion partnerships also appear to dry up for a time.
After years of working with high-end designers, the mother partnered up with Canadian high street label Aritizia.
She has also secured deals with the online retailers Revolve and Fwrd.
‘January was the busiest yet most fulfilling month I’ve had in many years,’ Jessica told her followers earlier this month when she shared video highlights of a trip to Los Angeles where she was ‘working with and styling some of the most wonderful people and events.’
Clawing back connections
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.’
Pictured: Jessica Mulroney seen leaving the Good Morning America studios in New York before losing her regular presenting job
Ben Mulroney and Jessica Mulroney arrive for the David Foster Foundation Gala at Rogers Arena on October 21, 2017
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.
‘Despite everything going on in the world, it is still important to celebrate our own.’
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 apologized, kept out of the limelight and rebuilt her brand and reputation and now deserves the respect and attention to share her expertise on creativity.’
Jessica took a two-month break from social media – but six months after the scandal, she shared DMs and text messages between herself and Exeter that the National Post’s columnist Barbara Kay called ‘a complete exoneration of Jessica from all the false allegations of racist bullying.’
Kay concluded that Jessica ‘is innocent of the moral crimes she has been so unjustly charged with.
Pictured: Jessica Mulroney and her husband Ben and their three children pictured last summer
Jessica Mulroney teased that her wedding show I Do, Redo might be making a comeback after posting about ‘getting back into the game’ this summer
Pictured: Meghan Markle and Canadian fashion stylist at an Equinox dinner in Toronto in November 2015
She added: ‘She did not deserve the reflexive shunning the accusations called forth. But she has no wish for revenge. She wants only to resume the profession she loves with honour and dignity.’
In July, 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, Im getting back into the game.
‘Coming to a screen near you.’
MailOnline has reached out to Sasha Exeter and Jessica Mulroney for comment.
