Sophie Trudeau gives Meghan the cold shoulder: Ex-First Lady says she 'knows' Duchess but claims they haven't spent much time together - after Meghan described her as a 'dear friend' who sent her 'meditations' and voice notes during her pregnancy

Sophie Trudeau has given the cold shoulder to Meghan Markle after saying she hasn't 'spent much time' with the Duchess who previously gushed the former First Lady of Canada was a 'dear friend'. 

Ms Trudeau, who was formerly married to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, has played down her friendship with The Duchess, who previously implied she shared a close bond with Sophie and admired her as being 'emblematic of strength'. 

During an episode of the Archetypes podcast in November 2022 Meghan admitted Sophie 'used to send me little meditations during my pregnancy' and voice notes 'of encouragement', adding: 'I've gone to her over the years for advice.'

Meghan also described a day of laughter and fun that the pair spent at her Montecito mansion, where their children played in the swimming pool on pizza-shaped floats while they drank wine 'on the terrace' and were 'giddy like absolute schoolgirls.'

But, when asked about her relationship with the Duchess in an interview with The Times today, Ms Trudeau was reserved to say the least, saying: 'I know her... but we haven't spent much time together.'

During the podcast, which aired in November 2022, Meghan introduced Ms Trudeau as a 'humanitarian mother' she met in Toronto, where Meghan was living while filming Suits, at the city's fashion week seven years ago.

She said: 'Sophie has become a dear friend and someone who I think is so emblematic of strength that comes from embracing your humanity, even in the face of all these family and home and public pressures, keeping that sense of self while holding up the mantle of what comes with being a parent and a spouse, that's a full plate. 

Meghan went on to describe a day that she spent at her Montecito mansion with Ms Trudeau. She said: 'This wasn't our day of being the wives and moms, all perfectly quaffed with up-dos and pearls and demure smiles.

'This was the other version of us both with wild curly hair and swimsuits and loose linen and huge belly laughs. Big cuddles with our little ones, quiet whispers of girl talk on the terrace, giddy like absolute schoolgirls. We were just having so much fun.'

According to Finding Freedom, Meghan became friendly with Sophie in 2016 after  meeting her husband Justin, who has been Canada's prime minister since 2015, at the One Young World summit in Ottawa that year.

'Sophie had given up a career in television, where she had been working as a correspondent on CTV's eTalk, to take on a more formal role alongside her husband as he hit the campaign trail,' the authors Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand claim.

'The pair became fast email friends, Meghan was interested to hear how Sophie had successfully made the move from an entertainment news correspondent to much-beloved First Lady, all while skillfully dodging controversy.'

They were previously pictured posing cheek-to-cheek in a photobooth at the Canadian Arts & Fashion Awards (CAFA) at exclusive Soho House in the city in 2016.

It comes as the launch of Meghan's lifestyle brand revealed insights into the Duchess' updated friendship circle.

Polo wives, socialites and Britney Spears' former stylist are among 50 specially selected recipients of the first product of American Rivera Orchard (ARO) - a jar of strawberry jam.

Some such as Netflix star Mindy Kaling, her Suits co-star Abigail Spencer and parenting campaigner Kelly McKee Zajfen took to social media, sharing pictures of the preserve nestled in a hamper.

Others, such as actress and comedian Melissa McCarthy spoke out to defend the Duchess, calling her 'inspiring' women suffering 'hate' for getting on with 'her own life'.

Yet despite the beaming pictures and words of praise from some, others have been notably missing from the clamour surrounding Meghan's new business.

The noticeable absences of some of her former closest pals suggest they may have been 'Markled' - the word is cruelly used by critics to describe how she is seemingly able to swiftly move on from some of those once closest to her.

Culture and PR gurus have told MailOnline that Meghan's friendship group has evolved to support her new venture, focusing on those who also live in the Californian enclave of Montecito or are women in business.

Culture expert Nick Ede told MailOnline: 'As with all friendships and circles they always change.

'We can see from whose in and whose out that the old guard of celebrity friends from Meghan's pre Megxit days seem to have been excluded from this PR campaign and there is a new squad who live in and around the Montecito area and support women in business.

'It makes sense for her and the brand to have a local squad supporting her as this is all about home made produce and a sense of community.

'With the success of Suits on Netflix and now with the BBC buying it I think she's missing a trick by not engaging all her old co stars and wedding guests to help support the brand as it launches as this would boost the brand and create demand.'

Meanwhile public relations expert Mark Borkowski said Meghan's updated circle of friends proves she still has 'profound influence' but added she has started to 'curate' friends that fit her new 'narrative'.

The PR wiz said: 'Meghan's circle proves she has a profound influence and will continue. The lineup of names surrounding her in this endeavor certainly speaks volumes about her evolving inner circle.

'Mindy Kaling and Tracee Ellis Ross, it's evident she's curating a circle of influencers and creatives, signaling a shift towards a more culturally resonant sphere.

'As for those left out in the cold, it's a curious mix of former confidants and acquaintances who perhaps didn't quite fit the new narrative. It's a strategic move, undoubtedly showcasing Meghan's knack for reinvention and remaining in the news cycle.'