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Meghan Markle’s Former Best Friend Celebrates Birthday Amid Friendship Rumors
Jessica Mulroney, once a close confidante of Meghan Markle, has recently honored the friends who have stood by her through thick and thin.
As she celebrated her 43rd birthday, whispers about a cooling friendship with the Duchess of Sussex have emerged.
This past weekend, Jessica embraced the occasion with a festive gathering, sharing snippets of her night out with her 410,000 Instagram followers.
In her birthday post, Jessica expressed her gratitude, saying, “I'm not a big birthday girl, but this year I wanted to celebrate some of the women that have loved and stood by me unconditionally.”
She feels fortunate to be surrounded by such intelligent women, including her friend Ryan, whom she affectionately mentioned.
The photos showcased moments of joy, featuring Jessica snuggling with makeup artist Rachel Renner and enjoying champagne with friends.
Among the guests at Jessica's celebration was Joanna Griffiths, the CEO of the popular underwear brand Knixwear.
Their camaraderie reflects Jessica's strong network of supportive friends, which has become increasingly important amid the challenges she's faced in recent years.
Jessica and Meghan's friendship reportedly began when they met during Meghan's time on the TV show Suits.
Meghan had previously praised Jessica's talents on her now-defunct blog, The Tig.
However, the bond between the two appears to have strained, particularly after Jessica's children participated in Meghan's wedding in May 2018.
The turning point for their friendship may have stemmed from a controversy in 2020 involving Jessica and lifestyle blogger Sasha Exeter.
Following this incident, whispers of a rift between Jessica and Meghan began to circulate.
Although Jessica has remained tight-lipped about the rumors, insiders suggest that the friendship faded naturally over time rather than as a direct result of the fallout with Sasha.
While Meghan has been notably silent regarding their friendship, sources indicate that she still cares for Jessica.
A source mentioned that Meghan has been concerned about her former best friend, emphasizing that she will always hold affection for her.
Despite this, Jessica's absence from Meghan and Harry's Netflix special last December raised eyebrows, signaling a shift in their relationship.
Interestingly, Meghan did include a nostalgic moment in the docuseries, showcasing a Facetime call with Jessica from the day Prince Harry proposed in 2017.
This glimpse into their past friendship contrasts sharply with the current state of affairs.
In January, Jessica made her first acknowledgment of the couple's documentary by posting a black-and-white photo from Meghan's wedding, yet she chose not to include any mention of Meghan or Harry in the caption.
As for Prince Harry's memoir, Spare, Jessica has remained silent, despite her significant role in supporting the couple during their transition away from royal life.
Her absence from these major moments suggests a deeper divide that has formed over time.
Recently, Jessica stirred speculation when she shared a cryptic note on Instagram following news that the Sussexes received an invitation to King Charles' coronation.
The post posed a playful question about inviting someone to an event, hinting at an underlying tension.
“We all know who it is,” she wrote, leaving fans to ponder the implications.
Reports indicate that Meghan was frustrated with how Jessica was labeled as merely a stylist before their apparent fallout.
This characterization seemed to bother Meghan personally, adding another layer to their complicated history.
As Jessica navigates her new chapter, surrounded by loyal friends, the evolution of her relationship with Meghan remains a topic of intrigue.
While they may have drifted apart, the memories of their friendship linger, leaving many curious about what the future holds for both women.