Stassi Schroeder Breaks With Meghan Markle Over PR Box Exclusion

Stassi Schroeder says Meghan Markle excluded her from the Duchess of Sussex’s recent “As Ever” PR box, prompting a public clash that she says started with hurt feelings and escalated into a vow to cut ties. Schroeder, a former star of Vanderpump Rules, voiced the grievances on an episode of her Stassi podcast earlier this month, saying she had long defended Markle when others did not and that her own public-relations team had even attempted to reach out to the duchess.

On the podcast, Schroeder argued that Markle’s approach to social media and publicity suggested the former Suits actress might not take a reality television background seriously. “The way she moves through social media, I think that she’s stuck in 2017, and she just thinks I’m a lowly reality person,” Schroeder said, adding that she was furious and calling the situation the “last straw.” She said she would stop watching Markle’s Netflix series, With Love, and asserted she would no longer discuss the duchess publicly. "I have literally defended her when no one else did. I have filmed videos about it, I’ve commented on all the things, I literally had my PR reach out," Schroeder claimed. She also announced she would unfollow Markle on Instagram.

Schroeder’s critique extended to Markle’s gifting choices, with the Bravo star noting that the duchess had sent PR boxes to the hosts of the Toast podcast, Claudia and Jackie Oshry, who have questioned Markle at times. Schroeder argued that sending gifts to critics amounted to an attempt to control the narrative and suggested Markle was paying too much attention to her detractors instead of her fans. Reps for Markle did not respond to Page Six by press time.

The comments come as Schroeder has long been a vocal defender of Markle in the press, but they also reflect a broader pattern in which fans and critics alike scrutinize Markle’s public-relations moves. In past years, Markle has faced public strain with longtime friends who allegedly felt sidelined by her media strategy. Jessica Mulroney, a close ally to Markle, was reportedly distraught after being dropped from TV gigs in part due to perceived missteps in public support. Mulroney’s status in Markle’s orbit and how Markle handles public scruples about loyalty have remained topics of media discussion throughout the royal-influencer era. Mulroney’s experience has been cited in coverage of Markle’s broader network and PR approach. The discussion about Markle’s approach to fans and critics has recurred in the wake of various high-profile partnerships and appearances. A separate report noted that in 2023, Made in Chelsea alum Millie Mackintosh claimed Markle had “cut her dead” when she began dating Prince Harry in 2016, adding another layer to the narrative about Markle’s public relationships and image management. In Markle’s defense, she has previously used PR gifts to promote her As Ever lifestyle company, which was previously named American Riviera Orchard. The gifting strategy has included jars of fresh jam and other items sent to various celebrities to drum up interest in her brand.

Schroeder’s comments arrive as entertainment and culture reporting continues to monitor the evolving relationship between Markle and the public, including the line between fan engagement and brand-building. Markle’s team has not publicly commented on Schroeder’s latest statements, and no immediate updates were provided by the Netflix series or the As Ever brand. The ongoing discussion underscores how a single PR gesture can become a flashpoint in the complex world of celebrity influence, social media narratives, and the perception of loyalty within celebrity circles.