Meghan’s former ‘close’ pal reveals why friendship ended: ‘Cooled off’

A former “good” friend of Meghan’s has revealed the catalyst for the end of their once-close relationship.

IN LONDON

A former “good friend” of Meghan Markle’s has revealed why they abruptly stopped speaking.

British PR guru Nick Ede was once close with the then-Suits actress, and spent plenty of time with her while she was in London – both socially, and while helping her make professional connections, as he explained in a new episode of magazine Hello’s A Right Royal Podcast.

When the hosts jokingly asked if he’d received “the Piers Morgan treatment” – referencing how the outspoken British broadcaster was infamously allegedly “ghosted” by Meghan when she met Prince Harry – Mr Ede admitted that her royal relationship did see the friendship “cool off”.

“I got the Piers Morgan treatment in the end,” he continued.

“We were messaging each other when she was feeling bullied and Prince Harry put out that statement, and I said, ‘I’ve glad you’ve got somebody who’s actually supporting you,’ and she said, ‘That really means a lot.’ Our friendship was generally a good friendship’”.

“We’d message and text each other a lot. I have my own charity and she was going to help and write about it on (Meghan’s one time blog) The Tig.”

Ede and Meghan were friends prior to her royal relationship. Picture: Instagram

Harry and Meghan got engaged in 2017. Picture: Daniel Leal-Olivas/AFP

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Mr Ede added that she was someone who was “genuinely interested in people”.

“I tell you what is great about Meghan – and didn’t really come across in the TV show – is that she was genuinely interested in people and genuinely wanted to take the time and a moment to learn more about them,” Mr Ede explained.

“I felt that was really authentic and I really liked that about her – there was also a vulnerability and insecurity too. She looked fabulous and gorgeous but there was a shyness too, which was very endearing.”

Meanwhile, in a far cry from their early friendship, Piers Morgan has gone on to become one of Meghan's fiercest critics in recent years.

Meghan had reportedly reached out to Morgan in 2016, during the same London trip that saw the then-actress first met Harry, and the pair then caught up for a drink.

“We had two hours in the pub, she had a couple of dirty martinis and pints – we got on brilliantly,” Morgan later said of the meeting during an appearance on the US’ Late Late Show.

“Then I put her in a cab, and it turns out it was the cab that took her to a party where she met Prince Harry.

“The next night they had a solo dinner and that was the last I ever heard from Meghan Markle. I never heard from her again – Meghan Markle ghosted me.”

He also added of the brush-off: “I really liked her, this is why it hurts. I just think she’s a slight social climber I’m afraid”.

Morgan’s criticism of Meghan later escalated dramatically and even led to his abrupt exit from his hosting role on UK breakfast Good Morning Britain.

Morgan wound up quitting his breakfast TV gig over a Meghan debate.

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He infamously stormed out of the studio following a heated exchange with weather presenter Alex Beresford over Meghan and Harry’s explosive Oprah Winfrey interview in 2021.

“I understand that you’ve got a personal relationship with Meghan Markle, or had one, and she cut you off. She’s entitled to cut you off,” Beresford pointed out.

“Has she said anything about you since she cut you off? I don’t think she has. But yet you continue to trash her.”

“Okay, I’m done with this – sorry, no. See you later. Can’t do this,” Morgan cut in, while walking off the set.

He later confirmed he was not returning to the show after refusing to apologise for claiming that Meghan had repeatedly lied when she spoke about her mental health to Winfrey.

In an open letter to followers on social media, Morgan thanked his supporters and said he was “willing to stand” his ground.

“I’ve lost my job at Good Morning Britain because I chose not to apologise for disbelieving Meghan Markle’s claims in her interview with Oprah Winfrey,” he wrote.

“I thus became the latest ‘victim’ of the cancel culture that is permeating our country, every minute, of every hour, of everyday.

“Though of course, I consider myself to be neither a victim, nor actually cancelled.”

Originally published as Meghan’s former ‘close’ pal reveals why friendship ended: ‘Cooled off’