A notable absence from Meghan Markle‘s Netflix programme was observed as her long-standing friend and Soho House founder Markus Anderson did not make an appearance. Anderson, previously described as the “second most important man in her life”, has been a significant figure in her social circle.
Anderson and the Duchess of Sussex developed their friendship during her time in Toronto whilst she filmed Suits. Although he wasn’t responsible for introducing her to Prince Harry, he facilitated their relationship by arranging private meetings at Soho House and coordinating a visit to Babington House in Somerset.
Their close relationship was evident through his attendance at her royal wedding and her previous blog posts on The Tig, where she referred to him as “my loving, supportive, and endlessly fun friend”. Despite other friends such as Abigail Spencer and Delfina Blaquier appearing in With Love, Meghan, Anderson was conspicuously absent. Their last public sighting together was at a friend’s baby shower in December.
The Daily Mail reported that Anderson’s absence from the show is attributed to his extensive business travel commitments. A source indicated that he prefers to avoid publicity, stating: “He just really is not comfortable in the spotlight… it’s not his thing.”
Despite receiving harsh critiques, Meghan’s Netflix programme is scheduled for a second series later this year. The show, With Love, Meghan, was considered crucial for the Sussexes’ Netflix partnership, established in 2020. Their most impactful production remains their Harry & Meghan documentary, which included contentious claims about the royal family.
Netflix chief Ted Sarandos recently defended Meghan in an interview with Variety. The 60-year-old executive highlighted her cultural impact, noting how the Harry and Meghan trailer sparked extensive media analysis. He mentioned the immediate sell-out of her featured clothing and accessories, including a Hermes blanket.
Meghan is set to launch a new podcast titled Confessions of a Female Founder. On Instagram, she expressed enthusiasm about the project, describing it as “candid conversations” with “amazing women” about their business journeys. She shared that recording was both “eye-opening, inspiring…and fun!” and mentioned incorporating these insights into her own business ventures.