Meghan Markle: Could Ellen DeGeneres Be Next on the Friendship Blacklist?

The Duchess of Sussex, known for her carefully curated social circle, might be poised to cut ties with another high-profile figure: talk show host Ellen DeGeneres. This rumour follows a pattern of distancing from individuals who have faced public controversies, as seen with her previous close friend Jessica Mulroney.

Meghan's friendship with Mulroney, a Canadian stylist, was once a strong one, with Mulroney even serving as a bridesmaid at Meghan's wedding to Prince Harry. However, their bond fractured after Mulroney was embroiled in a "white privilege" row in 2020, during the Black Lives Matter movement.

Now, attention is turning to DeGeneres, whose career has also faced challenges in recent years. The comedian's daytime talk show, which ended in 2022, was plagued by allegations of a "toxic" work environment. Despite these controversies, Meghan and Harry shared a friendly rapport with DeGeneres, even attending her vow renewal ceremony with wife Portia de Rossi last year. They are also neighbours in Montecito, California.

However, reports suggest that DeGeneres' recent scandals might be a cause for concern for the Duchess. DeGeneres herself has announced her "retirement" from showbiz after the release of her upcoming Netflix special, marking the end of her career.

The 66-year-old comedian, currently on her "Ellen's Last Stand... Up" tour, joked that she will be "cancelled" for being "old, gay, and mean" as she exits the spotlight. She has firmly stated that this is her last foray into public performance, adding: "After my Netflix special, I'm done."

It remains to be seen whether the Duchess will follow a similar pattern of distancing herself from DeGeneres, given the presenter's recent controversies. However, given Meghan's history of prioritizing a carefully curated inner circle, it is a possibility that her friendship with DeGeneres may be another casualty of the Duchess' strict personal standards.