MAKING THEIR MARKLE
Inside Meghan Markle’s ‘incredibly wealthy’ new Girl Squad from Britney’s style queen to TV power couple fashion adviser
One of the Duchess' pals has stayed in touch since the days of her old fitness blog The Tig
AS any hard-working woman knows, if you want to make it in the world, you need your “girl squad” right there with you – just ask Taylor Swift.
Meghan Markle’s friend and former Suits co-star Abigail Spencer has certainly gone above and beyond as she helps to promote her pal’s latest business venture.
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In a hilariously over-the-top photoshoot, Abigail, 42, can be seen lying on the grass with a limited edition jar of the Duchess’s new American Riviera Orchard strawberry jam, artfully presented in a hamper of lemons and white flowers.
Alongside the pictures, which she posted to her Instagram on Sunday, she wrote: “This jam is my jam.
“A delicious taste of what’s to come indeed . . . love you so much M.”
The Duchess of Sussex, 42, launched her luxury lifestyle brand last month, with just 50 “lucky” recipients receiving a pot of her preserve — the first product to be released.
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New trademark applications reveal Meghan also plans to sell items including yoga mats, stationary and candles through American Riviera Orchard.
Abigail appears to be one of the few Suits cast still in touch with the Duchess.
The pair recently wore branded T-shirts to support US non-profit organisation Alliance Of Moms.
But earlier this year, we told how many of Meghan’s former co-stars, who attended her fairytale Windsor wedding to Prince Harry in 2018, say she is no longer in contact.
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‘Rich female allies’
Patrick Adams, whose character was in a relationship with Meghan’s Rachel Zane, said he has had “no communication”.
And in 2019, co-star Sarah Rafferty, who once described Meghan as like a “sister”, hinted they had drifted apart.
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Since relocating to Montecito, California, in 2020, mum-of-two Meghan has built up a raft of rich and highly influential female allies who have been supporting her through her latest rebrand.
Speaking to the Sunday Telegraph, Sara Nathan, editor-at-large of the New York Post, said: “She has a small, tight-knit group of women she’s surrounded by.
“Most of them are incredibly wealthy and often married to very important men.
“But they’re doing projects in their own right, usually in charity or philanthropy.”
Here, we reveal the new key players in Meghan’s inner circle.
DELFINA BLAQUIER
(Socialite whose hubby is polo pal of Harry)
ARGENTINE It Girl and photographer Delfina posted a snap of herself holding a jar of the Duchess’s jam – number ten of 50 – writing: “Strawberry jam makes me happy. And I love your jam.”
The ex-model met Meghan when her husband of 20 years, Argentinian Ignacio “Nacho” Figueras, played in the same polo team as Prince Harry – and the pair have been pals for some 15 years.
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Nacho, 47, has often spoken out in defence of his old friend, including after Harry chose to quit the Royal Family.
The couple have four children together – Hilario, 24, Aurora, 19, Artemio, 14, and 11-year-old Alba – and were guests at the Sussexes’ 2018 wedding.
Delfina, 43, revealed in 2022 that Meghan calls the pair the “P-wives”, or polo wives.
And the mum-of-four added: “She is so wonderful and strong. Stronger than she knows.
“I love being around my friends, and I will always support her.”
JAMIE MIZRAHI
(Fashion guru and stylist to Britney and Adele)
CELEBRITY stylist Jamie has worked with A-listers from Britney Spears to Jennifer Lawrence and Adele, and is said to be behind Meghan’s style overhaul.
The Duchess reportedly hired former Juicy Couture creative director Jamie, 35, to fine-tune her wardrobe to align with her new business.
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In November, the two women were spotted having dinner ahead of a Vegas gig by Katy Perry – another of Jamie’s top clients.
The LA-based mum-of-two, who has sons Yale, six, and four-year-old Cy with her venture capitalist husband Nico Mizrahi, appears to be a fan of the quiet luxury trend Meghan has been adopting of late.
Jamie, who recently partnered with luxury denim brand 7 For All Mankind, has previously talked about how she helps clients reinvent themselves.
She said: “Styling is not just about picking out the most flattering outfit.
“Part of my job is to look at the larger picture of my clients’ careers. I have to take into account what their goals are.”
She added: “How you dress is a clear statement of how you want people to view you.
“Shifting that perspective can change your whole career.”
ABIGAIL SPENCER
(Suits co-star who made the friendship cut)
US actress Abigail, who shot to fame on American soap All My Children, became close friends with Meghan on legal drama Suits, which ran from 2011.
She once said: “We had an immediate something.”
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They also bonded over the fact they share the same birth date – August 4, 1981.
Abigail wrote articles for Meghan’s now-defunct blog The Tig and also attended her baby shower in 2019.
The mum-of-one shares a 15-year-old son Roman with her ex-husband Andrew Pruett and recently went public about her romance with businessman Oscar Valls, CEO of a Barcelona-based startup company called Farmbrots.
The pals are even style twins, with Meghan sporting the same white dress by California designer Heidi Merrick to the Royal Salute Polo Challenge in Miami earlier this month that Abigail was spotted in last year.
HEATHER DORAK
(Pilates pal)
THE 36-year-old Pilates and yoga instructor is a long-time friend of the Duchess, having met nearly 20 years ago.
She was a regular on Meghan’s social media before she closed her account ahead of marrying Harry.
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Heather was also a confidante in the early days of Megxit after the couple stepped down as working royals in 2020.
The Texan, who gave fitness tips on Meghan’s blog The Tig, opened her first Pilates Platinum studio in Hollywood in 2006 and now has six hubs in Los Angeles and Texas.
Heather, mum to sons Noah and Cody, and her husband Matt Cohen, founder of money-saving app Grand, attended the royal wedding.
She was also spotted hiking with Meghan near the couple’s Montecito mansion after celebrating Archie’s fourth birthday.
In a 2015 Instagram post, she marked ten years of friendship with Meghan.
TRACY ROBBINS
(Fashion designer and half of TV power couple)
FASHION designer Tracy, 44, and her husband, Paramount boss Brian Robbins, are pals with Harry and Meghan and were spotted together at the Bob Marley film premiere in Jamaica in January.
The two couples posed on the red carpet, sparking speculation the Sussexes could form a working relationship with the Paramount Pictures CEO due to their £80million Netflix deal being set to expire next year and their £15million Spotify contract coming to an early end last June.
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Tracy set up the Tracy James Collection, a line of dresses and kaftans, in 2022. She and Brian have three children together – Miles, 23, Justin, 21, and seven-year-old Stella – and live in Los Angeles.
In a social media snap of Meghan’s jam, showing that hers was number 17 of 50, Tracy wrote: “Thank you for the delicious basket!
“I absolutely love this jam so not sure I’m sharing with anyone.
“Thank you, M!”
KELLY McKEE ZAJFEN
WHEN close friend Kelly, 44, posted a picture of her jar of jam, she inadvertently revealed just how far up the pecking order she is in Meghan’s posse.
The label reveals hers was number three in the limited run.
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The former model took to Instagram to share a video of the preserve being spooned on to a slice of toasted sourdough, and wrote: “So proud of you M”.
Meghan quickly returned the favour as she modelled a T-shirt bearing the slogan Love Like A Mother, in support of Kelly’s non-profit organisation, Alliance Of Moms.
The Duchess can be seen posing with her BFFs Kelly and Abigail in a series of candid snaps.
Kelly and Meghan, who last month enjoyed a winter getaway with Heather Dorak at Powder Mountain ski resort in Utah, met through their husbands when Meghan was married to TV producer Trevor Engelson.
Kelly, whose husband is entertainment lawyer Julian, has previously described the Duchess as an “incredible friend”.
Meghan supported her after she lost her nine-year-old son George to Covid and meningitis in 2022.
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In an Instagram tribute last year, Kelly, who is also mum to George’s twin sister Lily, now 11, wrote: “You are always the first to say yes and support those you love.
“You are a fierce advocate for those who are in need.”
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