Why Meghan Markle turned down offer to join former Suits co-stars at Golden Globes

The core cast of hit series Suits made a surprise onstage cameo at the ceremony – but there was one glaring absence. Here’s why.

Meghan Markle turned down the offer to join her former Suits co-stars to present an award at the Golden Globes. Picture: Lisa O'Connor/AFP; Stan

Meghan Markle turned down the opportunity to join her former Suits co-stars to present an award at the Golden Globes.

Stars of the hit series, which is currently experiencing a major streaming resurgence on Netflix, gathered on stage during Monday’s ceremony to present the award for best TV drama – with one glaring absence.

According to Page Six, the Duchess of Sussex was invited to be part of the presentation, but told the show’s organisers that she was busy.

“We asked the duchess, but we were told that, unfortunately, she had a previous commitment,” the Globes insider claimed.

The Suits cast appeared on stage at the 2024 Golden Globes. Picture: Stan

Meghan played Rachel Zane for seven seasons from 2011 before leaving the show and moving to the UK ahead of her engagement to Prince Harry and entrance into royal life.

Despite her exit, she stayed close with her former co-stars in the years that followed, even inviting them to her Windsor Castle wedding in 2018.

Meghan reportedly had other plans on the night of the Globes. Picture: Lisa O'Connor/AFP

However, it appears the relationship may have cooled in the years since.

US actress Gina Torres, who played Jessica Pearson on Suits, bluntly revealed ahead of the Globes ceremony that at least a few of their group are no longer in touch with Meghan.

Speaking to Variety on the red carpet, Torres was asked whether the cast asked her to attend the Globes alongside them.

“We don’t have her number,” Torres candidly replied. “We just don’t.”

As the reporter awkwardly laughed, Torres continued, “She’ll see. She’ll watch. She’ll be happy that we’re here.”

It’s understood Meghan is still close with Sarah Rafferty, who played Donna Paulsen, as well as Abigail Spencer, aka Dana “Scottie” Scott.

Meghan’s role on Suits launched her to stardom. Picture: Ian Watson/USA Network

Meanwhile, Suits’ lead stars, Patrick J. Adams and Gabriel Macht, joked about their high-profile ex-colleague while discussing plans for a reboot on the red carpet.

“It’s a show in the Suits universe. Like a ‘Suits LA,’” Adams told a reporter, who questioned whether Meghan could return.

“Sure. Mike and Rachel in Seattle. They gotta come down to LA, they gotta fix some stuff,” Adams responded, prompting Macht to quip: “Who’s Meghan?”

“She’s pretty popular right now,” Adams told him. “Did you hear about Meghan? I’ll tell you later.”

Meghan herself weighed in on the show’s surging popularity, years after its finale aired, at a Variety event in Hollywood last November.

“Isn’t that wild?” said Markle, in response to news it had attracted a combined 45 billion minutes streamed across its platforms.

She admitted she had “no idea” what sparked the renewed interest, but gushed over the “great cast and crew”.

“We had a really fun time. I was on it for seven seasons, so quite a bit. But it’s hard to find a show you can binge-watch that many episodes of these days, so that could have something to do with it. But good shows are everlasting.”

Originally published as Why Meghan Markle turned down offer to join former Suits co-stars at Golden Globes