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Who is Jessica Mulroney? Meghan Markle’s best friend whose children are bridesmaids and page boys at the Royal Wedding


Meghan Markle's closest friend and, arguably Canada’s best-connected fashion power player, has arrived in London ahead of the Royal bride-to-be's big day on Saturday.

It was announced earlier today that Mulroney's children, Ivy, John and Brian, will be taking part in the ceremony at St George's Chapel as a bridesmaid and pageboys – cementing the stylist's family at the centre of one of the biggest events of the year.

You may not have heard of Mulroney before, but her influence has already helped to propel a lucky clutch of Canadian fashion designers to global fame thanks to her role as stylist to Sophie Gregoire-Trudeau, the wife of Canada’s charismatic prime minister, Justin Trudeau.


WHEN Meghan Markle marries her Prince this weekend, her best pal won't be too far away as her three children are part of the wedding party.

But who is Canadian stylist Jessica Mulroney, 37, and what role will her children play in Meghan's Windsor wedding?

Getty - Contributor Meghan Markle's best friend Jessica Mulroney is a well-known Canadian stylist

Who is Jessica Mulroney?

Jessica is a Toronto-based fashion stylist, bridal expert and PR manager.

Born Jessica Brownstein, the mum-of-three is a direct descendant of Benjamin Brownstein - who founded Montreal's Browns Shoes.

The 37-year-old styles Canada's First Lady Sophie Gregoire-Trudeau, wife of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and carefully selected Meghan's engagement photocall outfit.

She's also a bridal consultant at the Canadian branch of Kleinfeld's, the New York based wedding shop made famous by Say Yes To The Dress.

Getty - Contributor Jessica is married to TV host Ben Mulroney

In 2011, she and her sisters-in-law Caroline, Katy and Vanessa Mulroney co-founded a charity called The Shoebox Project.

Donors are asked to fill shoe boxes with beauty cosmetics and toiletries worth around £35.50 ($50) - to give to women living in shelters.

They've since distributed more than 91,000 shoe boxes.

You can follow Jessica on Instagram @jessicamulroney.

PA:Press Association Jessica styled this look for Meghan and Prince Harry's official engagement photocall

How does Jessica Mulroney know Meghan Markle?

Meghan and Jessica are thought to have met when Meghan first moved from LA to Toronto, in 2011, to film Suits.

They're said to have bonded over a shared love of yoga, and even holidayed together in Italy in 2016.

Jessica was one of just three people, along with Meghan's mum Doria and Harry's mate/Soho House consultant Markus Anderson, to join the Suits actress and Harry in the royal box at the Invictus Games.

Getty - Contributor The pair are thought to have met in 2011 and bonded over a love of yoga

What part will Jessica Mulroney's children play in the wedding?

Ivy Mulroney, Jessica’s four-year-old daughter has been picked to be a bridesmaid.

Her twin brothers, seven-year-old Brian and John Mulroney, will be page boys alongside Prince George and Harry's godson Jasper Dyer, six.

Other bridesmaids include Princess Charlotte, Harry's goddaughters, three-year-old Florence van Cutsem and Zalie Warren, 2, as well as Meghan’s goddaughters Rylan, 7, and Remi Litt, 6.

Jessica Mulroney's children, including twins Brian and John, and daughter Ivy, will be in the wedding

Will Jessica Mulroney be Meghan Markle's Maid of Honour?

There were rumours that Jessica would be chosen to be Meghan's right hand girl for the big day.

Unlike Kate, who had younger sister Pippa Matthews by her side at her wedding, Meghan will be going it alone.

"Ms Markle will not have a Maid of Honour," a Buckingham Palace spokesperson told Cosmopolitan.

"She has a very close-knit group of friends and she did not want to choose one over the other.

"They have all been actively involved in helping her prepare and will be there with her to celebrate on the day."

The stylist arrived in the UK on May 16 2018 ahead of the Royal Wedding in just three days time.

Jessica helped Meghan choose her TV wedding dress for Suits - and was reportedly flown over to Kensington Palace on January 10, to join the bride-to-be in fittings for a bespoke wedding gown.

Who is Jessica Mulroney's husband?

Jessica is married to Ben Mulroney, a Canadian TV host and son of the former PM Brian Mulroney.

He's best known for hosting Canadian Idol and entertainment news programme etalk - where he covers showbiz awards shows like the Oscars and Golden Globes.

Ben and Jessica tied the knot on December 28, 2007, after just two years of dating.

They have three kids - identical twins Brian and John, born in August 2010, and a daughter called Ivy, born in June 2013.

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What have friends said about Jessica's involvement in Meghan's wedding?

Friends have voiced concern that the stylist and wedding planner, known as the "Gwyneth Paltrow of Toronto", will out-sparkle Meghan on the big day.

The mum-of-three, who married into Canadian "royalty" when she wed former president Brian Mulroney's son Ben, is a style icon to the Suits actress and is well-known for her glamorous lifestyle.

A friend told The Mail On Sunday: “Meghan adores Jessica, not just as a friend but also as someone whose taste and style are impeccable.

“Meghan looks up to Jessica and has, to a certain degree, modelled herself on her.

"The irony is Meghan could end up being upstaged by the woman she’s fashioned herself on.”


With just three days to go, more and more of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's guests are touching down in London for the royal wedding.

The latest to arrive is Jessica Mulroney, one of Meghan Markle's best friends and former stylist. Mulroney was spotted landing at Heathrow Airport with her husband Ben Mulroney and their three children: twins Brian and John and daughter Ivy.

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While it's unknown if Jessica will have an official role in the royal wedding, all three of her children will be serving as pageboys and bridesmaids in the ceremony. Both of her 7-year-old twins, Brian and John, will act as pageboys alongside Prince George and Jasper Dyer, the godson of Prince Harry.

Her daughter, 4-year-old Ivy, will be a bridesmaid alongside 3-year-old Princess Charlotte and the other three goddaughters of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

So who exactly is Jessica Mulroney? The Toronto-based stylist has been one of Meghan Markle's closest friends since the actress moved to Canada to film Suits in 2011. She's been referred to as Meghan's "unofficial wedding planner" and has reportedly helped the bride-to-be pick out everything from the flowers to the photography to the dress. Also, according to the Daily Mail, Mulroney is apparently thought of as the "Gwyneth Paltrow of Toronto," which is really all the context you need to know there.

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Jessica Mulroney and Meghan Markle in 2016. Getty Images

Jessica and her husband, Ben Mulroney (son of former Canadian Prime Minister, Brian Mulroney), have a close relationship with Meghan and Harry, as they helped keep the couple undercover after their romance first broke news. She also accompanied Meghan at the Invictus Games closing ceremony, hosted by Prince Harry, which took place in Toronto.

Meghan’s mother, Doria Ragland, Meghan, Jessica, and their friend Markus Anderson at the Invictus Games closing ceremony. Getty Images

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While Mulroney was originally one of the frontrunners for Markle's highly coveted maid-of-honor spot, the bride instead won't be having a maid-of-honor for her big day. It is, however, rumored that Mulroney will be making a custom piece for Meghan to wear on the big day.


She was named today as one of Harry and Meghan's six bridesmaids.

And after touching down in Heathrow this morning, little Ivy Mulroney's first port of call was British high street giant Marks & Spencer.

The four-year-old was accompanied by her mother, Meghan's best friend Jessica Mulroney, on the last-minute shopping trip on Wednesday afternoon.

The pair were dropped off near Kensington High Street, fuelling speculation that the family, who live in Toronto, could be staying at nearby Kensington Palace ahead of the Royal wedding on Saturday.

After spending just 15 minutes in the children's department, Jessica and Ivy left empty-handed and headed back in the direction of the Palace.

M&S trip: Four-year-old Ivy Mulroney was accompanied by her mother, Meghan's close friend Jessica, on a last-minute shopping trip on Wednesday afternoon

And after touching down in Heathrow this morning with her brood (pictured), Jessica Mulroney's first port of call was British high street giant Marks & Spencer

Mother-of-three Jessica, who arrived in London just this morning with her family in tow, betrayed no hint of jet lag with her fresh-faced appearance and perfectly-coiffed hair - while her adorable daughter wore the same yellow jacket she arrived in this morning.

Mrs Mulroney - once dubbed 'the Gwyneth Paltrow of Toronto' - runs a bridal store and is rumoured to have helped Meghan design her gown.

The two friends holidayed together in Positano on the Amalfi coast in August 2016, one of Meghan's last jaunts as a single woman before her engagement.

Their friendship has gone from strength to strength since Meghan, then a young ingenue, moved to Toronto in 2011 to play Rachel Zane in the TV show Suits.

By then Jessica was married to Ben Mulroney and one of Canada's top television presenters, and mingled with the cream of Toronto society.

The two friends met when Meghan was in Toronto filming Suits.

Glamour: Mother-of-three Jessica, who arrived in London just this morning with her family in tow, betrayed no hint of jet lag with her fresh-faced appearance and perfectly-coiffed hair

Jessica Mulroney's children, including twins Brian and John, and her daughter Ivy, are all now in London ahead of the wedding at Windsor Castle on Saturday May 19

She introduced Meghan to her social circle, which included Canada's First Lady Sophie Gregoire Trudeau, the wife of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Mrs Mulroney - formerly known as Jessica Brownstein - came from a privileged background as a member of Canada's Browns shoes dynasty, worth £50million.

She attended an exclusive all-girls' school, before studying industrial relations and economics at McGill University. She then launched a business importing lingerie.

After a successful career as a stylist - with her own TV slot - and wedding planner, she was propelled to the A-list in 2008 after marrying Brian Mulroney's eldest son.

Meghan's unofficial wedding planner and best friend Mrs Mulroney posted this picture on Instagram in August 2016 – a month after Meghan had her first date with Prince Harry

Mrs Mulroney and Meghan embrace at a World Vision event in March 2016 in Toronto. Mrs Mulroney and Meghan are said to have bonded over a passion for yoga, Pilates, dogs and philanthropy - and Meghan calls herself as 'Aunty Meg' to the children

Mrs Mulroney and Meghan are said to have bonded over a passion for yoga, Pilates, dogs and philanthropy - and Meghan calls herself as 'Aunty Meg' to the children.

Meghan and Prince Harry are said to have sought refuge at Mrs Muroney's house when news of their relationship broke.

Then last September, as engagement speculation grew, Mrs Mulroney was in a box with Meghan and her mother Doria for the closing ceremony of the Invictus Games.

Harry joined them for the final 20 minutes of the show, standing arm in arm with Meghan and planting a kiss on her check as they watched Bryan Adams sing.

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