Meghan Markle's recent appearance at the Children's Hospital Los Angeles 2024 Gala has reignited criticism about her treatment of former friends and her alleged habit of "ghosting" people once they fall out of favor. Royal commentator Ingrid Seward and former friends of the Duchess of Sussex, including socialite Lizzie Cundy and stylist Jessica Mulroney, have come forward with claims that Markle has systematically distanced herself from her close circle over the years.
Seward, speaking to multiple media outlets, remarked that Meghan has alienated many of her former friends, "cutting them dead" when they no longer fit into her life. "She does something which is very distressing for people," Seward said, via The Sun. "She actually sort of just cuts them dead and ghosts them, as it's called. If they upset her, that's what she does, and it's very difficult to deal with somebody like that." Seward's comments highlight a growing sentiment among some of Meghan's former allies who feel abandoned by her rise to royal prominence.
The most recent event at the Los Angeles gala provided a backdrop for further scrutiny, as Meghan appeared to stay only briefly for photos before leaving the venue. Seward suggested that Meghan's fleeting presence could be seen as "counterproductive," implying that she might have been more focused on maintaining her public image than genuinely engaging with the charity's cause. "She looked as if she was striking out on her own in a purposeful way," Seward noted. "But if she only ever stayed for the pictures, which apparently she did, that's counterproductive because she's already got some bad publicity for just appearing and smiling and then disappearing."
The backlash has been fueled in part by former friends speaking out about feeling ghosted by Meghan. Lizzie Cundy, a British socialite and one-time close confidant of Meghan, was also present at the gala. Cundy, who once had a warm friendship with Meghan before she met Prince Harry, expressed relief that she didn't have to cross paths with her former friend at the event. "Lizzie was relieved Meghan left the gala early, avoiding what could have been a very icy reunion," an insider revealed to The Mirror. "She's been very open about how Meghan ghosted her after meeting Harry and was hurt by the sudden cut-off."
Jessica Mulroney, once one of Meghan's closest friends and her stylist, has also reportedly fallen out of favor. Their bond began to fray after Mulroney became embroiled in a racial controversy involving influencer Sasha Exeter in 2020. Although Mulroney apologized publicly, the damage to her reputation and its potential impact on Meghan's image led the Duchess to distance herself. A source close to the situation noted, "Meghan said friends reflect friends, and because of what's at stake, she can no longer be associated with Jessica, at least not in public."
The transformation in Meghan's relationships has left some of her former friends and supporters feeling disillusioned. "People are starting to actually speak out about being unhappy with the way that Meghan is," Seward stated. "She was all smiles at one stage, and now she just looks different, and it doesn't look real." This growing discontent among her former allies suggests a shift in perception toward Meghan's public and private personas.
At the gala, Meghan's choice to re-wear a modified version of a red Carolina Herrera gown she had previously donned three years ago did not go unnoticed. PR expert Ashley Rossiter remarked that Meghan's revamped look-now without its original train-signaled a desire to make a statement while maintaining a more casual, approachable image. "The dress is a statement not to be ignored, but combined with the dressed-down hair and make-up, it also presents Meghan in a more relaxed frame," Rossiter said, highlighting how the choice might reflect Meghan's evolving approach to her public image.
The criticism Meghan faces is not solely focused on her alleged ghosting of friends but also on the way she has navigated her life in the spotlight. Ingrid Seward's pointed observations about Meghan's seeming detachment from genuine interactions at public events add fuel to the narrative that Meghan's actions are more calculated than they appear. "If she's only there for the photo ops, people start to question her sincerity," Seward remarked.
Even as Meghan attempts to carve out her identity away from the royal family, her evolving relationships and strategic appearances continue to draw both admiration and skepticism.