Meghan Markle's estranged BFF Jessica Mulroney pays tribute to her 'one of a kind' father-in-law, former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, following his state funeral
Meghan Markle's former best friend Jessica Mulroney has paid tribute to her late father-in-law, the former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, following his state funeral.
The Canadian stylist, 43, who met the Duchess of Sussex, 42, on the set of Suits in Toronto, shared a collection of tear-jerking photographs from the sad occasion, that took place on Saturday.
Taking to Instagram today, the mother-of-three, who is married to Brian's eldest son Ben, said: 'I consider myself to be one of the lucky ones… To know you was to love you.
'Always making us laugh with your unique gift of storytelling. A soothing baritone voice I could listen to for hours. Not a day went by that your Ben, Brian, John, Ivy and I did not feel loved by you.
'Rest in peace Papa. You were truly one of a kind,' she concluded in her moving social media post.
Jessica Mulroney, left to right, Miranda Lapham, Mila Mulroney, and Theodora Lapham take a moment at the casket of Brian Mulroney, former Canadian prime minister, at St. Patrick's Basilica in Montreal
One of the images shared by Jessica showed Ben placing his hands on his father's casket after delivering a reading during the state funeral.
Another showed Jessica's family sitting in Notre-Dame Basilica in Montreal, before she took a moment at the casket alongside some of her relatives.
Mr Mulroney, the former leader of the Progressive Conservative Party who was Canada's prime minister from 1984 to 1993, died on 29 February at the age of 84.
Previously speaking about her special bond with her father-in-law, Jessica said in 2020: 'Sometimes you win the lottery when it comes to your in-laws. I won it all with this man and his Mila... Proud DIL (daughter-in-law).'
Mr Mulroney, Canada's 18th prime minister, died peacefully and surrounded by family in a hospital in Palm Beach, Florida, daughter Caroline Mulroney said in a post on X, formerly Twitter.
'On behalf of my mother and our family, it is with great sadness we announce the passing of my father, The Right Honourable Brian Mulroney, Canada's 18th Prime Minister. He died peacefully, surrounded by family.'
Mr Mulroney is survived by his wife Mila and children Caroline, Nicholas, Mark and Ben.
Mr Mulroney's family said last summer he was improving daily after a heart procedure that followed treatment for prostate cancer in early 2023.
Ben Mulroney places his hands on his father's casket after delivering a reading during the state funeral for former prime minister Brian Mulroney at Notre-Dame Basilica in Montreal
Mr Mulroney with daughter-in-law Jessica in 2020. Jessica was a close friend of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry
Taking to Instagram today, the mother-of-three, who is married to Brian's eldest son Ben, said: ' I consider myself to be one of the lucky ones… To know you was to love you.'
Meghan Markle and Jessica Mulroney attend the Equinox Yorkville Dinner held at Kasa Moto on November 23, 2015 in Toronto, Canada
A family spokesman said Mr Mulroney died at a hospital in Palm Beach, Florida, where he was being treated after a recent fall.
Leader of the Progressive Conservative party from 1983 to 1993, Mr Mulroney served almost a decade as prime minister after he was first elected in 1984, when achieving the largest majority in Canadian history with 211 of 282 seats.
The win would mark Canada's first Conservative majority government in 26 years. His government was re-elected in 1988.
Mr Mulroney entered the job with widespread support, but he left with the lowest approval rating in Canadian history.
His Progressive Conservative party suffered a devastating defeat just after he left office. But in the years after the loss, prime ministers sought his advice.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in a statement: 'Brian Mulroney loved Canada. I'm devastated to learn of his passing.
'He never stopped working for Canadians, and he always sought to make this country an even better place to call home.
'I'll never forget the insights he shared with me over the years – he was generous, tireless, and incredibly passionate.
Ben Mulroney, son of late former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, kisses his wife Jessica at his father's state funeral
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks with actor Ryan Reynolds at the funeral of former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, in Montreal
'As we mourn his passing and keep his family and friends in our thoughts, let us also acknowledge – and celebrate – Mr. Mulroney's role in building the modern, dynamic, and prosperous country we all know today.'
The man known for his charm was an ardent advocate of stronger US-Canadian relations. Mr. Mulroney pushed a free trade deal forward in no small part due to his friendship with US President Ronald Reagan.
His funeral on Saturday was attended by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Ryan Reynolds.
Mr. Mulroney's daughter-in-law Jessica was once known as Meghan Markle's best friend - and they remained extremely close after the Duchess met Prince Harry and moved to the UK.
However their friendship appeared to cool in 2020 when Jessica was caught up in a social media storm in which she was accused of demonstrating 'white privilege' in the wake of the Black Lives Matter movement - and they haven't been seen together since.
Lifestyle blogger Sasha Exeter called out Jessica, who 'took offence' to a 'generic call to action' post Sasha had shared about the Black Lives Matter movement.
Mulroney with her daughter Ivy, Princess Charlotte, Florence van Custem and the Princess of Wales at Meghan and Harry's 2018 wedding at Windsor Castle
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 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.
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.'
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 Meghan on her 41st birthday, on which she wrote: ‘LUCKIEST FRIEND XXXX, THX MM.’
However, the following year it became increasingly clear to fans 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 realizing it, those pieces come back. New love enters. Better friends come along. And a stronger, wiser you, is staring back in the mirror.’
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.'
Since then, Jessica has continued to post cryptic messages on social media, including a post telling followers her 'detachment game is strong'.
