The 'Safe Harbour' Friendship Behind Meghan's Lavish Lifestyle
The Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, has found what she describes as a 'safe harbour' in her close friendship with cosmetics mogul Victoria Jackson, a relationship that has recently created an unexpectedly awkward moment during a magazine interview. The incredible bond between the two women has seen Jackson generously providing the Sussexes with access to her luxury properties across America and even her private jet, arrangements that have reportedly made Harry and Meghan's own Montecito home appear modest by comparison.
The Awkward Royal Announcement in an Empty House
During Meghan's recent interview with Harper's Bazaar, writer Kaitlyn Greenidge witnessed a moment straight out of palace protocol that seemed strikingly out of place. Despite being the only two people in Victoria Jackson's New York residence, Meghan was formally announced as 'Meghan, Duchess of Sussex' by the house manager upon Greenidge's arrival. The writer noted the peculiarity of the situation in her piece, describing how the announcement occurred even though they appeared to be alone in the substantial property.
This same New York house has served as a refuge for the couple during previous visits to the city, including an occasion when they were chased by paparazzi. Sources indicate that Harry and Meghan have been staying at Jackson's various properties for years, enjoying the security and luxury they provide without any financial cost.
From Mascara to Medicine: Victoria Jackson's Remarkable Journey
Victoria Jackson's own life story reads like a Hollywood script marked by both tragedy and extraordinary triumph. After surviving a sexual assault where she was stabbed in her own bedroom by a serial rapist, Jackson left school without a high school diploma and began mixing cosmetic 'concoctions' in her garage. Her determination led to a scholarship in 1976, and within a decade she had created her own foundation and founded Victoria Jackson Cosmetics.
The businesswoman, known as the Queen of Cosmetics, achieved remarkable success, selling $1 million of cosmetics in her first week at QVC and eventually generating a billion dollars in sales. Her life took another dramatic turn when her daughter Ali was diagnosed with neuromyelitis optica, a rare autoimmune disease, with doctors giving the child just four years to live.
This personal crisis prompted Jackson and her husband Bill Guthy to establish the Guthy-Jackson Charitable Foundation, contributing more than $80 million to research that has since led to three approved treatments for the disease. Ali, now 31, has far outlived the original prognosis.
The Sussexes' connection to Jackson extends beyond property access. Meghan celebrated her 41st birthday at Jackson's ranch near Santa Barbara and has featured the cosmetics entrepreneur on her Archetypes podcast. The couple regularly uses Jackson's sprawling 14-bedroom Beverly Hills residence, originally built for silent cinema icon Buster Keaton, which features a 50ft lounge, 60ft swimming pool, staff accommodation, and an olive tree-lined entrance.
An insider revealed the stark contrast between the Sussexes' own home and the properties they access through their friend, noting that 'Victoria's houses make their place in Montecito look like a prison or a beach shack'. The arrangement reportedly suits the couple perfectly for security reasons while providing unbelievable luxury at no cost - an appealing combination for any high-profile couple navigating life in the public eye.
