Inside Meghan Markle’s relationship with Sophie Trudeau: The duchess gushed about pool parties with a ‘dear friend’ who supported her during pregnancy, while Canada’s former first lady says they ‘haven’t been long together’

Meghan Markle previously described Canada’s former First Lady Sophie Trudeau as a “dear friend.”

However, according to Sophie, the friendship may have cooled recently, with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s ex-wife telling her the times: ‘I know her… but we haven’t spent much time together.’

This is in stark contrast to what the Duchess of Sussex, 42, has said in the past about the relationship, suggesting the two were very close and describing Sophie as “emblematic of strength”.

According to Meghan, speaking during an episode of her Archetypes podcast in November 2022, Sophie “used to send me little meditations during my pregnancy” and voice notes “of encouragement,” adding: “I’ve gone to her over the years to ask for advice.” .’

And she also revealed that the two had spent a day together at the Montecito mansion she shares with Prince Harry.

Meghan described the day as one full of laughter and fun, with her children playing in the pool on pizza-shaped floaties while they drank wine “on the terrace” and were “giddy like absolute schoolgirls.”

According to the biography Finding Freedom, Meghan and Sophie became friends in 2016, after the former Suits actor met Justin in 2015, at the One Young World summit in Ottawa that year.

That year, Sophie and Meghan were photographed posing cheek to cheek in a photo booth at the Canadian Arts & Fashion Awards (CAFA) at London’s exclusive Soho House.

According to Finding Freedom authors Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand: ‘Sophie had abandoned a career in television, where she had been working as a correspondent on CTV’s eTalk, to take on a more formal role alongside her husband as he launched the campaign.

“The pair became fast friends over email, with Meghan interested in how Sophie had managed to go from entertainment news correspondent to much-loved First Lady, all while deftly dodging controversy.”

In November 2022, Meghan invited Trudeau onto her Spotify Archetypes podcast to speak in an episode titled Good Wife/Bad Wife, Good Mom/Bad Mom.

During the episode, the couple talked about the challenges of parenting and being in a relationship with two famous men, and Meghan revealed that she hosted a pool party for Sophie that summer, where the two ‘laughed like schoolgirls’ and drank wine. on the terrace of his Montecito mansion.

Meghan introduced Sophie as a “caring mother” she met in Toronto, where she was living while filming Suits, at the city’s fashion week seven years ago.

She said: “Sophie has become a dear friend and someone who I think is so emblematic of the strength that comes from embracing humanity, even in the face of all these family, domestic and public pressures, maintaining that sense of self while holding the Mantle of what being a parent and spouse entails, that’s a full plate.

Meghan went on to describe a day she spent at her Montecito mansion with Trudeau. She said: ‘This wasn’t our day when we were wives and mothers, all perfectly drinking with updos, pearls and demure smiles.

‘This was the other version of the two of us with wild curly hair, bathing suits, baggy bedding and huge laughs. Big hugs with our little ones, quiet whispers of girl chat on the terrace, giddy like absolute schoolgirls. “We were having a lot of fun.”

Speaking during his recent interview with the Times, after talking about Meghan,
Sophie then turned the conversation over to Meghan’s sister-in-law Kate Middleton, revealing her “heart sank” when she learned of the princess’ cancer diagnosis last month.

It’s unclear why Sophie downplayed her friendship with Meghan, although there has been speculation that it could be related to the breakdown of Meghan’s friendship with her former best friend Jessica Mulroney, who previously also acted as Trudeau’s stylist.

Despite their previously close relationship, which included vacations together as well as Jessica playing an “influential” role on Megxit, Meghan distanced herself from the mother-of-three after she became embroiled in a racial row following the Black Lives. Movement of matter in 2020.

At the time, ABC severed ties with stylist Mulroney and confirmed that she would not return to her occasional role as a fashion contributor on Good Morning America.

And Canadian television network CTV also cut ties with the stylist, revealing that it would be removing all episodes of her wedding-themed reality show, I Do Redo, from its platform.

Although Jessica did not comment on the friendship, it is clear that it has cooled: the two have not been seen together publicly and Jessica did not appear on the couple’s Netflix series, in which Harry’s other friends were interviewed and Meghan.

Some changes in Meghan’s friendship circle have been revealed by the launch of her lifestyle brand.

He is believed to have shipped about 50 jars of strawberry jam, the first product from his American Rivera Orchard (ARO) brand.

Recipients include polo wives, socialites and Britney Spears’ former stylist.

Some of those who submitted the PR sample took to social media to share photos. They included Netflix star Mindy Kaling, her Suits co-star Abigail Spencer, and parenting activist Kelly McKee Zajfen.

However, despite the glowing pictures and words of praise from some, others have been noticeably absent from the clamor surrounding Meghan’s new business.

The notable absences of some of her former closest friends suggest that they may have been ‘Markled’ – critics cruelly use the word to describe how she is apparently able to leave behind some of those who were once closest to her.

Culture and PR gurus told MailOnline that Meghan’s friendship group has evolved to support her new venture, focusing on those who also live in the Californian enclave of Montecito or are businesswomen.

Culture expert Nick Ede told MailOnline: ‘As with all friendships and circles, they always change.

“We can see who’s in and who’s out that the old guard of celebrity friends from Meghan’s pre-Megxit days seem to have been excluded from this PR campaign and there’s a new team living in and around the Montecito area and supports women in business.

“It makes sense for her and the brand to have a local team supporting her, since it’s all about homemade products and a sense of community.”

“With the success of Suits on Netflix and now the BBC’s purchase, I think he’s missing a trick by not involving all of his former co-stars and wedding guests to help support the brand on its launch, as that this would boost the brand and create demand.’

Meanwhile, PR expert Mark Borkowski said Meghan’s updated circle of friends shows she still has a “deep influence”, but added that she has started to “select” friends who fit her new “narrative”.

The PR expert said: “Meghan’s circle shows she has a profound influence and will continue.” The list of names surrounding her in this endeavor certainly says a lot about the evolution of her inner circle.

‘Mindy Kaling and Tracee Ellis Ross, are clearly forming a circle of influencers and creatives, signaling a shift toward a more culturally resonant sphere.

“As for those left out, it’s a curious mix of former confidants and acquaintances who perhaps didn’t quite fit into the new narrative. It’s a strategic move, which certainly shows Meghan’s ability to reinvent herself and stay in the cycle. of news”.