Meghan Markle and Jessica Mulroney’s Friendship Timeline, From Their First Meeting to Famous Fallout

Fast Friends

In 2011, Meghan and Jessica met while Meghan was living and working as an actress in Toronto, Canada. The two attended the same yoga and pilates classes and became fast friends, bonding over their shared interest in both fashion and fitness.

Cayman Island Companions

Years later, in February 2016, the duo proved their friendship had stood the test of time when they vacationed in the Cayman Islands together.

“Girls trip has officially begun with @meghanmarkle (which means don’t bother me unless you have to),” Jessica captioned an Instagram photo of her and Meghan on the beach.

Italian Trip

In August 2016, three months before Prince Harry confirmed his relationship with Meghan, Jessica shared a snap from a trip to Italy with the actress.

“Happy wife happy life #fakehoneymoon. #MJxItaly #positano #posivibes,” Jessica captioned the photo.

Good Host

Jessica and her husband reportedly let Meghan and Harry stay in their home following their first royal appearance at the 2017 Invictus Games in Toronto.

The Mulroneys welcomed the couple “with warm and open arms” during a time when “it wasn’t easy for them to go out in public without the risk of getting spotted,” a source told E! News at the time.

Style Swapping

The close friends proved their support for each other, as well as their similar sense of style, when Meghan began wearing outfits styled by Jessica.

“Over the last few years, everything that Meghan has worn … it’s all bought by Jessica as a stylist, and then Meghan wears it afterwards,” royal fashion editor Amanda Dishaw told Cosmopolitan in May 2018. Jessica even had a hand in selecting the wedding dress Meghan’s character Rachel Zane wore in her final episode of Suits.

Proud Friend

In an Instagram post following Meghan’s May 2018 wedding to Prince Harry, Jessica shared her joy for her best friend on her special day.

“Proud friend. Proud mom,” Jessica wrote, referring to her then 7-year-old twin sons, Brian and John, who served as page boys for Meghan’s ceremony.

Royal Tour

Jessica joined Meghan and Harry on their first ever royal tour — which took them through Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand during the fall of 2018 — in an “unofficial capacity,” the Daily Mail reported at the time.

Baby Shower

In February 2019, Jessica attended Meghan’s baby shower ahead of the birth of her and Harry’s first child, son Archie.

Private Pals

In March 2019, Jessica addressed the attention surrounding her friendship with Meghan.

“Listen, every person has to have a bit of privacy in their life,” she told Harper’s Bazaar at the time. “There are certain things I hold very dear and secret. There are things I’ll never talk about for sure. My life is an open book, but there’s always a few secret pages in the back that nobody will be able to read.”

Calling Out Bullies

Following what she called “years of undeserved hate and abuse” after Meghan’s entrance into the British Royal Family, Jessica took to social media to defend her friend.

“When someone faces unfair criticism, you call it out,” Jessica wrote via Instagram in August 2019. “When that person is your friend and your family, you call those critics what they truly are. Shame on you, racist bullies.”

The Beginning of the End

In June 2020, amid the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement following the death of George Floyd, Jessica was accused of displaying “white privilege” through her work by fashion blogger Sasha Exeter.

Responding to the criticism, Jessica wrote, “I want to say from my heart that every word of my apologies to Sasha over the course of the last two weeks privately, and again both publicly and privately today is true.”

“I have lived a very public and personal experience with my closest friend where race was front and centre,” Jessica continued, referring to Meghan, calling the experience “deeply educational.” Jessica would later lose her job as a fashion contributor on Good Morning America in the wake of the scandal.

Meghan Reacts

That same month, a source told Us Weekly that Meghan “could not get over” the fact that Jessica brought her up amid the discourse with Sasha. Another insider said that Meghan planned to “distance herself” from Jessica after the scandal.

Still Friends

In a September 2020 Instagram story, Jessica denied she and Meghan had fallen out.

“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,” the stylist wrote at the time. “Tabloid culture is atrocious. It creates lies and hurtful storyline. Stop feeding into it. Done.”

The post was later deleted.

Jessica Defends Meghan

After Meghan was accused of mistreating former Kensington Palace aids, Jessica jumped to her friend’s defense.

“I don’t know that anyone has ever had to deal with the pressure, the politics and the press like this woman,” she wrote via Instagram in March 2021. “In the face of it all, I have never seen her waver from kindness, empathy and love.”

Birthday Gift

In March 2021, Jessica shared a photo of a bouquet of flowers Meghan sent her for her 41st birthday to her Instagram Story.

“LUCKIEST FRIEND XXXX, THX MM,” she wrote, referring to the duchess.

Done for Good?

In June 2021, Jessica shared a quote to her Instagram Story about losing friends — a post many believed was in reference to Meghan.

“Life changes. You lose love. You lose friends. You lose pieces of yourself that you never imagined would be gone,” the post read. “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.”

Engagement Excitement

A heartfelt moment shared by the former best friends was seen in the December 2022 Netflix docuseries, Harry & Meghan.

“Oh, my God, Jess. It’s happening. He told me not to peek,” Meghan said, on the phone with Jessica just before Prince Harry proposed.

Detachment Is Strong

In September 2023, Jessica once again sparked rumors in that she was indirectly speaking out against Meghan with another Instagram Story reshare, which read, “As loving as I am, my detachment game is strong too.”

Another Dig?

In early December 2023, Jessica shared yet another cryptic Instagram Story that many followers believed was directed at Meghan.

“Anybody who believes lies about you, before even hearing your side of the story, was already looking for a way to be against you,” the reposted video said.

Fear of Betrayal

In December 2023, a source told Life & Style exclusively that not only are Jessica’s social media digs at Meghan “not subtle,” but they may hint at “more to come.”

According to the insider, Jessica “knows more about Meghan than probably anyone,” adding that if anyone can damage her reputation by speaking out about her, it’s Jessica.

“Meghan thought the ultimate betrayal was how Harry’s family has treated them, but if Jessica turned on her, that would really hurt,” the source said. “The last thing Meghan and Harry want is another attack on their name, and Jessica could do just that if she expands on her telling posts.”

The added that Meghan would be “devastated” if her “intimate secrets” – “including the calculating way she really hooked Harry” – ever came out.