Is Meghan Markle’s inner circle shrinking once again? That’s the question echoing through elite social circles in London and Los Angeles, as whispers grow louder about a surprising new distance between the Duchess of Sussex and one of her formerly closest confidantes.

While Meghan has long been a figure who attracts both admiration and controversy, it’s her friendships that often raise eyebrows—especially when they suddenly cool. And now, insiders are speculating whether another high-profile name has fallen victim to what’s increasingly being dubbed “the curse of Meghan.”

From Tight-Knit to Tense Silence?

Until recently, Meghan’s bond with her inner circle seemed unbreakable. But observers have noticed that one particular friend—long considered a pillar of support in Meghan’s post-royal life—has been notably absent from recent events and social media shoutouts. That friend is Heather Dorak, the Pilates entrepreneur and longtime ally who was a regular fixture by Meghan’s side during her days in Toronto while filming Suits, and even later during her early royal years.

Dorak, once seen vacationing with the Duchess and invited to her most private celebrations, has now vanished from Meghan’s visible orbit. Sources close to both women suggest that something shifted in the past year, with one claiming, “They’re not exactly on bad terms, but they’re not what they once were either.”

The Meghan Friendship Pattern

This isn’t the first time such speculation has arisen. Over the years, Meghan has seen a number of once-tight friendships gradually fade or publicly unravel. Former friends like Jessica Mulroney, once hailed as Meghan’s unofficial stylist and confidante, have gone from headlines to footnotes. Similarly, British socialites once linked to Meghan have privately hinted at a sense of “emotional whiplash” from their time in her orbit.

Critics argue that Meghan’s rise to global fame—and her increasing desire for privacy—has meant distancing herself from past relationships that no longer align with her current lifestyle or brand. But supporters defend her right to evolve and be selective about the people in her life.

“Everyone changes their circle when they grow,” said a Hollywood PR insider. “She’s under a microscope like no one else. You can’t blame her for wanting loyalty above all.”

A Royal Fallout Effect?

There’s also speculation that Meghan’s dramatic exit from royal life and subsequent relocation to California with Prince Harry have put a strain on many of her old friendships. While some friends followed her west and remained fiercely loyal, others felt left behind—or unable to adapt to her new world.

The Sussexes’ continued involvement in global causes, podcasting ventures, and media appearances has also made their lives far more demanding. “Maintaining friendships when you’re building an empire isn’t easy,” noted a source close to Meghan’s business team. “She’s not ghosting people. She’s just focused.”

Still, the pattern has led some to question whether closeness to Meghan is a double-edged sword—one that brings visibility, opportunity, and access, but also the risk of being cut off when no longer convenient.

Public Silence Fuels the Fire

Interestingly, neither Meghan nor Dorak has publicly commented on the current status of their friendship. But social media sleuths have pointed out a noticeable drop in mutual interactions, and some believe that tells a bigger story.

At a recent charity event in LA, Meghan was seen chatting with other high-profile figures but made no mention of Heather—something that, in this world of curated images and public gratitude, can speak volumes.

Meanwhile, Dorak has kept her social media presence calm and professional, focusing on her business and wellness content, without a single nod to her famous friend in months.

The Verdict?

Is this merely the natural evolution of two women growing in different directions? Or yet another case in a growing list of fractured connections around the Duchess?

As always with Meghan, the truth is likely more nuanced than the headlines suggest. Friendships fade for a variety of reasons—some petty, some profound—and in Meghan’s case, the scrutiny is just far more intense.

Yet the whispers in elite circles continue. The so-called “curse of Meghan” may not be a curse at all, but rather a byproduct of a woman who lives by her own rules, and who refuses to keep people in her life who don’t fit the path she’s carving.

Whatever the reason, one thing’s clear: being close to Meghan Markle is never without drama—and always worth watching.