There are times when their dark, glossy locks made them appear almost interchangeable, their matching sense of style studiously classic, polished and understated.
So similar are Canadian stylist Jessica Mulroney and her closest friend Meghan Markle, those who knew them on the Toronto celebrity circuit described them as ‘twins’.
Even their values, it was said, were tightly aligned.
But that was then. Today, with her friend and confidante accused of racist bullying and in disgrace, the Duchess of Sussex faces the biggest dilemma of her life.
Today, with her friend and confidante Canadian stylist Jessica Mulroney (left) accused of racist bullying and in disgrace, the Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle (right) faces the biggest dilemma of her life
Meghan is under huge pressure to ditch the woman who, more than any other, guided her ascent from little-known American actress to the upper echelons of Canadian high society. And beyond.
Jessica Mulroney, 40, is no mere BFF (Best Friend Forever). She has been Meghan’s fixer, stylist and unofficial spokesman for years.
But amid the furore over the killing of George Floyd, she is now a monumental liability.
It is just a few days since the Duchess used her global platform to speak passionately about George Floyd’s death, condemning ‘senseless’ acts of racism and adding: ‘The only wrong thing to say is nothing.’
And when Jessica became caught up in a toxic race row, saying nothing would perhaps have been more wise.
t is just a few days since the Duchess used her global platform to speak passionately about George Floyd’s death, condemning ‘senseless’ acts of racism and adding: ‘The only wrong thing to say is nothing’. Picture: Meghan with Jessica
For Mulroney’s lucrative career as a television stylist and bridal expert lies in tatters following the ugly episode in which she appeared to threaten to end the career of glamorous black lifestyle blogger Sasha Exeter.
The row began when Exeter called on influential social media users to use their platforms to support Black Lives Matter.
Mulroney, who has 395,000 Instagram followers, was not specifically named. But it was noted that she had been assiduously plugging her TV wedding show I Do, Redo, rather than ‘speaking up’.
Jessica, it seems, took offence. But in the furious argument behind the scenes that followed, Exeter claims she was left ‘paralysed with fear’ over Mulroney’s apparent written threats, which she then made public.
In the exchange, Jessica wrote: ‘I have also spoken to companies and people about the way you have treated me unfairly. You think your voice matters. Well it only matters if you express it with kindness and without shaming people who are simply trying to learn. Good luck.’
Posting the messages online, Exeter wrote that Jessica was ‘well aware of her wealth, her perceived power and privilege because of the colour of her skin’ adding: ‘For her to threaten me? A single mother, during a racial pandemic? Blows my mind, it is absolutely unbelievable.’
The publicity forced Jessica into a humiliating climbdown and she was promptly dropped from her regular appearances on US and Canadian television shows.
On Friday, ABC’s Good Morning America – the largest US breakfast show – said Jessica would no longer be working for them.
Canadian network CTV also dropped her, saying her ‘conduct’ had fallen short of their efforts to practise ‘respect, inclusivity, and allyship… to listen to and amplify Black voices, and not to minimize them’.
So far, Mulroney has issued three profuse apologies, but it is unlikely to be enough. This, after all, is America – where race is a highly politicised weapon.
Jessica Mulroney has been Meghan’s fixer, stylist and unofficial spokesman for years
On the face of it, 38-year-old Meghan can ill afford to lose Jessica, one of her very few personal friends and a keeper of her secrets. The Mail on Sunday understands that, in private, she has been a sounding board for Jessica’s difficulties.
Mulroney is said to have rung the Duchess to warn her of the impending controversy before the backlash began. It was, by all accounts, a tense conversation.
Jessica’s influence over Meghan’s career can hardly be overstated. She has been front and centre of Meghan’s transition to Royal life, partly because she, herself, is the epitome of Canadian privilege.
Although she is a relative unknown in the UK, in Canada Jessica is half of one of Toronto’s most powerful couples.
She is married to TV host Ben Mulroney – son of former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney. Mother-of-three Jessica is from one of Montreal’s most prominent families, descended from the founder of a shoe retail empire.
She introduced Meghan to the best restaurants, the most fashionable places to be seen – and pictured – and included her among the select and powerful group of Toronto’s elite with whom she socialised.
Through the Mulroneys, Meghan was introduced to Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his wife Sophie, who has also been styled by Jess. They share Meghan’s interest in humanitarian work.
In turn, Jessica has benefited from her association with Meghan. Meghan is godmother to Jessica’s daughter Ivy, seven, who was a bridesmaid at Harry and Meghan’s wedding two years ago. Jessica played a leading role in organising the Windsor ceremony.
Meghan reportedly asked Jessica to be a godparent to her son, Archie, and she was also entrusted to look after the one-year-old when Meghan and Harry flew to London to announce their intention to step down from official Royal duties.
In March, Jess again broke off from her busy schedule to look after Archie while his parents completed final Royal engagements.
But whether she will be so trusted again remains to be seen. While Meghan has so far said nothing publicly about the embarrassing affair, she found herself dragged into it regardless when Jessica’s apology referenced, without subtlety, her ‘very public and personal experience with my closest friend, where race was front and centre’.
As one friend put it: ‘How can Meg stand by her? She is horrified by Jess’s behaviour. It is disgusting.’
Another was reported to have said: ‘Meghan is mortified that she’s been dragged into this complete mess. She said Jessica was in no way a racist, but the way she handled the situation was tone-deaf. Meghan said she can no longer be associated with her, at least not in public. She has to do what she has to do in order to preserve her dignity and her own reputation.’
And more than that, perhaps. The reality is that Black Lives Matter gives the mixed-race Duchess a genuine platform, particularly in America where she could have enormous influence.
It is unlikely Meghan will ‘speak up’ about her friends’ misdemeanours. Last year she refused to be drawn into the row over Mr Trudeau wearing blackface as a student. But history tells us the ambitious Duchess is not immune to leaving friends behind when their usefulness has been exhausted. And no one knows that better than Jessica.