Meghan Markle’s former best friend Jessica Mulroney paid tribute to her late father-in-law, 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 touching photos from the sad occasion which 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 one of the lucky ones… Knowing you was loving you.
‘Always making us laugh with your unique gift of storytelling. A relaxing baritone voice that I could listen to for hours. Not a day went by that Ben, Brian, John, Ivy and I didn’t feel loved by you.
‘Rest in peace dad. You were truly unique,’ he concluded in his touching social media post.
Jessica Mulroney, from left, Miranda Lapham, Mila Mulroney and Theodora Lapham take a moment before 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 coffin after giving a reading during the state funeral.
Another showed Jessica’s family sitting at the Notre-Dame Basilica in Montreal, before she took a moment by the coffin with some of her relatives.
Mulroney, former leader of the Progressive Conservative Party and prime minister of Canada from 1984 to 1993, died on February 29 at the age of 84.
Previously speaking about her special bond with her father-in-law, Jessica said in 2020: ‘Sometimes you hit the jackpot when it comes to your in-laws. I won everything with this man and his Mila… Proud DIL (daughter-in-law)’.
Mulroney, Canada’s 18th prime minister, died peacefully and surrounded by his family at a hospital in Palm Beach, Florida, his daughter Caroline Mulroney said in a post on X, formerly Twitter.
‘On behalf of my mother and our family, it is with great sadness that we announce the passing of my father, the Right Honorable Brian Mulroney, the 18th Prime Minister of Canada. He died peacefully, surrounded by his family.
Mr Mulroney is survived by his wife Mila and children Caroline, Nicholas, Mark and Ben.
Mulroney’s family said last summer that 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 coffin after giving a reading during the state funeral of former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney at the Notre-Dame Basilica in Montreal.
Mulroney with her daughter-in-law Jessica in 2020. Jessica was close friends with 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 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 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, Mulroney served nearly a decade as prime minister after first being elected in 1984, when he won the largest majority in Canadian history with 211 of 282 seats.
Victory would mark Canada’s first Conservative majority government in 26 years. His government was re-elected in 1988.
Mulroney took office with widespread support, but left it 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 am devastated to learn of his passing.
‘He never stopped working for Canadians and always sought to make this country an even better place to call home.
‘I will never forget the insights he shared with me over the years – he was generous, tireless and incredibly passionate.
Ben Mulroney, son of the 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 recognize – 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 for stronger relations between the United States and Canada. Mulroney pushed for a free trade agreement largely thanks to his friendship with U.S. 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 very close after the duchess met Prince Harry and moved to the UK.
However, their friendship appeared to cool in 2020 when Jessica became embroiled 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 have not been seen together since.
Lifestyle blogger Sasha Exeter criticized Jessica, who “took offense” 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 behaviors and antics (…)
“In no way am I calling Jess racist, but what I will say is this: she is very aware of her wealth, her perceived power, and her privilege because of the color of her skin and that, my friends, gave her the momentary confidence to come. to make a living writing. Actually, in my personal opinion, textbook white privilege.
Following the blogger’s claims, Jessica publicly apologized three times, however, she still faced consequences and was dropped by numerous television networks.
DailyMail.com exclusively revealed that ABC has severed ties with her, confirming that Jessica would not return to her occasional role as a fashion contributor on Good Morning America.
Canadian television network CTV also cut ties with the stylist and revealed that it would remove all episodes of her wedding-themed reality show, I Do Redo, from its platform.
Despite their close relationship, insiders claimed the Duchess had permanently cut ties with Jessica after she became embroiled in a racial dispute with the influencer.
A source told Page Six that the duo’s relationship was already in trouble because Meghan felt Jessica was trying to “make a career out of the friendship.”
“The white privilege row has really given Meghan the excuse she’s been waiting for to cut off contact with Jess for good,” the source said. “I don’t know what the turning point was, but Jess has been on the sidelines for a while.”
In September 2020, Jessica addressed breakup rumors 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 checks on me every day.
Six months later, Jessica shared a photo on an Instagram Story of the flowers she received from Meghan on her 41st birthday, writing: ‘LUCKIEST FRIEND XXXX, THANK YOU MM.’
However, by 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 that read: ‘Life changes. You lose love. You lose friends. You lose parts of yourself that you never imagined would disappear.
‘And then, without even realizing it, those pieces come back. A new love enters. Best friends are coming. And you are stronger and wiser looking in the mirror.
The following year, Jessica posted a photo of a sign that read, “You’re not too sensitive.” You’re not exaggerating. If it hurts, it hurts.’
She captioned the post: “I wish I had 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 her followers that her “detachment game is strong.”