Why two of Sydney’s most glamorous socialites AREN’T speaking after a sudden marriage split – and there’s a twist that has in the ‘in crowd’ buzzing

There is a saying that goes, ‘men come and go, but friendship lasts a lifetime’.

Unfortunately for socialite Harriet Williams, she has lost both her husband and her best friend in the space of a year – and it is the talk of the town in the eastern suburbs.

She was best friends with fellow “It” girl Mel Coates for years, but Harriet’s recent split from her husband Andy El Bayeh has suddenly ended their friendship.

Mel had nothing to do with the failure of the marriage. But we hear that she sided with the groom in the divorce, which led to an irreconcilable feud with Harriet.

When couples break up, friends often take sides, but what makes this fascinating is how close Mel and Harriet were before their breakup.

And the fact that Mel attended Harriet and Andy’s $1 million wedding in March 2022.

Publicist Andy and kinesiologist Harriet abruptly ended their six-year relationship last August during a European holiday.

The popular couple from the eastern suburbs had only been husband and wife for two years.

Their split rocked Sydney’s social elite at the time, as their idyllic Instagram photos from recent trips through Greece and Italy showed no sign of trouble in paradise.

Two weeks before their split made headlines, Andy had posted a loved-up photo with Harriet as they attended the wedding of their friends Mario Kalpou and Danielle Louise in Mykonos.

No reason for the divorce was given.

As for Harriet’s friendship with Mel, a well-placed insider tells us that the former best friends are done. The once inseparable duo have indeed unfollowed each other on Instagram. However, Mel still follows Andy.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted both women for comment.

Andy is the chief creative officer and founder of creative agency Example, while Harriet is a kinesiologist at Inner Remedy and comes from a wealthy family in Sydney.

When couples break up, friends often take sides – but what makes this fascinating is how close Mel and Harriet were before their break-up… and the fact that Mel officiated Harriet and Andy’s wedding.

Publicist Andy and kinesiologist Harriet (pictured together in happier times) abruptly ended their six-year relationship last August during a European holiday

Andy, who worked as Merivale’s marketing director, had been in a relationship with Harriet for some time four years before they tied the knot.

He launched an elaborate plan to propose to Harriet, disguising his plan as his 31st birthday party before turning the event into an engagement party.

His dog Max was involved in the romantic moment after Andy fitted the pooch with a collar embroidered with the all-important question: will you marry me?

“I completely lost my cool,” Harriet previously told Vogue Australia about the proposal.

The couple then tied the knot in a lavish three-day bush wedding in the Southern Highlands in March 2022, in a ceremony that reportedly earned them a million dollars.

The event started with welcome drinks in the historic halls of Osborn House, as their loved ones gathered to celebrate with them.

The couple then tied the knot in the grounds of the Wollumbi Estate, with Andy and Harriet exchanging vows under a beautiful woodland canopy.

Their breakup rocked Sydney’s elite social set at the time, as their idyllic Instagram photos from recent trips through Greece and Italy showed no sign of trouble in paradise

Harriet walked down the aisle to Sebastien Tellier’s La Ritournelle, performed by a 20-piece orchestra led by conductor Dan Fontaine, in what she later described as a “surreal” and “magical” moment.

“The wedding styling was inspired by the magic of nature,” Harriet told Vogue. ‘It was all about the flowers and the forest.’

Harriet wore an array of luxurious wedding dresses for the 72-hour extravaganza, including a Vivienne Westwood gown for the welcome drinks.

She wore an Olivia von Halle robe on the morning of her wedding before slipping into a custom dress designed by Marina Didovich and Harriet themselves.

Harriet, who used to be a stylist, wore two more evening dresses for the reception: a 1940s-style beaded dress by Steven Khalil and a blue dress by Paolo Sebastian.

The guest list included influencer Ruby Tuesday Matthews, Nadia Fairfax, TV personality Renee Bargh, DJ Jordy Burrows and model Tash Oakley.

Harriet’s mother is Edeltraud Franziska Grill, the first wife of John Grill, the CEO of engineering giant WorleyParsons, who is reportedly worth $971 million.

They divorced in February 2008 and Edeltraud reportedly received eight million Worley shares in the settlement.