Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, was spotted holding hands with Nicole Avant, the wife of Netflix chief Ted Sarandos, at a glamorous private event in Montecito, California, this past Friday night. The 44-year-old royal appeared in high spirits, sharing a warm embrace with Avant as they posed for photographs alongside their husbands, Prince Harry and Sarandos.
Fashion and Friendship on Display
Meghan donned an elegant olive green satin dress, while Nicole, 58, opted for a sophisticated black and white floral gown. The duo's close interaction at the star-studded gathering highlighted their personal connection, despite recent reports of professional shifts involving Netflix and Meghan's ventures.
Instagram Dynamics and Netflix Relations
This social appearance follows revelations last month that Ted Sarandos quietly unfollowed both Meghan Markle and her lifestyle brand, As Ever, on Instagram around February. Sarandos had been among the first prominent figures to follow Meghan when she rejoined social media in early 2025, and he initially supported her lifestyle business, which launched as American Riviera Orchard before rebranding to As Ever.
Interestingly, Nicole Avant continues to follow Meghan on Instagram, though not the As Ever account, suggesting a distinction between personal and professional ties. A Netflix source previously confirmed to the Daily Mail that Nicole and Meghan remain friends, underscoring the complexity of their relationships amid business changes.
Background on the Sussexes and Netflix
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have maintained a partnership with Netflix since stepping back from royal duties, producing content through their Archewell Productions. However, the reported unfollowing by Sarandos coincided with a purge of Meghan's brand from the streaming platform, raising questions about the future of their collaboration.
Despite these developments, the Montecito party served as a public affirmation of the ongoing personal bond between Meghan and the Sarandos family, with photos capturing candid moments of laughter and camaraderie.
