Meghan Markle has had Soho House founder Markus Anderson as a long-time pal, and he even helped romance to blossom between Meghan and husband Prince Harry – but he did not appear in her recent Netflix show

Meghan with pal Markus Anderson (Image: WireImage)

Meghan Markle’s Netflix show saw her host and cook for a string of her closest pals. But one of her friends who was once dubbed the “second most important man in her life” was noticeably missing.

Markus Anderson, the founder of Soho House, has often been spotted at Meghan’s side since they struck up a friendship when the Duchess of Sussex lived in Toronto while filming Suits. And while he did not set up Meghan and Prince Harry, he did play a part in helping the romance blossom. He is said to have arranged for the pair to meet in private rooms at Soho House and even organised a trip to the boutique hotel Babington House in Somerset

Markus at Harry and Meghan’s wedding back in 2018(Image: Getty Images)

In fact, Markus’ closeness to Meghan has seen him become a regular feature in her life as a royal attending her wedding and before that even writing about him calling him “my loving, supportive, and endlessly fun friend” on her former blog The Tig.

And while she is joined by other pals including Abigail Spencer and Delfina Blaquier in her lifestyle show With Love, Meghan, Markus does not feature. He and Meghan were last pictured together at a friend’s baby shower in December.

But according to the Daily Mail, the businessman’s busy professional life means he’s travelling constantly. And a pal told the publication the reason why he did not appear in the show is because: “‘He just really is not comfortable in the spotlight… it’s not his thing.”

Meghan’s Netflix show has faced brutal reviews but despite this, it is coming back for a second series later this year, with filming for it already taking place.

Meghan with her pals Abigail Spencer and Kelly Zafjen(Image: COURTESY OF NETFLIX)

With Love, Meghan was seen as a make-or-break moment for the Sussexes, who signed a multimillion-pound deal with Netflix in 2020, with their most successful output being their controversial Harry & Meghan documentary, which features accusations against the royal family.

But in an interview yesterday, Netflix boss Ted Sarandos appeared to back the Duchess as he expressed his thoughts on the public’s ongoing curiosity about Meghan.

Speaking with Variety, the 60-year-old executive explained: “Meghan’s influence on culture is often undervalued. When we released the trailer for Harry and Meghan, every detail on-screen was dissected in the media for days.

The shoes she wore sold out globally. The Hermes blanket behind her – gone in a flash.” Sarandos added that the public’s obsession with Meghan and Harry, is something that many overlook, pointing out: “They are often unfairly dismissed.”

Meanwhile, later this month Meghan is launching a new podcast called Confessions of a Female Founder. She described the venture as “candid conversations” with “amazing women” about the success and struggles of their businesses.

She wrote on her Instagram account that she was “so excited” to share the news, describing recording the series as “absolutely eye-opening, inspiring…and fun!” The former Suits actress added: “Because what’s the point if we can’t have some fun on this wild adventure?” She said the women had shared their “tips, tricks (and tumbles)” as well as “letting me pick their brains as I build out my own business, As ever”.