Meghan Markle's Suits co-star reveals surprising text he got out of the blue from the Duchess

Meghan Markle's former Suits co-star has revealed the sweet message the Duchess sent to him as he embarked upon a new podcast - after previously admitting the pair had little contact after the show.

Meghan Markle and Patrick J. Adam played on-screen couple Michael Ross and Rachel Zane - and their friendship appeared strong when he and his wife were invited to the Sussexes' 2018 royal wedding in Windsor. 

But the actor, 43, admitted that he recently got a heartwarming note of support from the wife of Prince Harry - despite them losing touch in recent years.

'She leads a very different life now for obvious and important reasons,' he said while answering fans' questions on Reddit this week.

'But upon hearing about the podcast. I got a lovely text, saying how excited she was for us and asking how she could help in anyway.

'So lovely to still have that kind of support and friendship after so many years apart.' 

Sidebar - hosted by the Patrick and fellow Suits star Sarah Rafferty, 51, who played no-nonsense assistant Donna Paulsen - is 'dedicated to re-watching and breaking down' the hit legal drama, with 'special guests who played a part both in-front of and behind the camera'.

The Duchess will likely have had plenty of advice to give the pair, having launched her own podcast called Archetypes on Spotify in August 2022.

Meghan's award-winning podcast welcomed celebrity guests including Serena Williams, Mariah Carey, Andy Cohen and Jameela Jamil to name but a few.

It has seen more than ten million downloads, although there has not been another episode since November 2022.

But it seems Meghan may have another podcast episode in her yet.

Asked by Entertainment Weekly if the Duchess would be join them on the Sidebar, Sarah said: 'Everybody's invited, and everybody has been so supportive. It's amazing.

'I've just been texting one of our directors, Mike Smith, Rachael Harris had some comments on our Instagram Live this morning, cannot wait for Sheila Sazs to be introduced into the show. I can't wait to talk to Max Beesley and all the British actors that we had.'

Suits originally aired on USA Network for nine seasons from 2011 to 2019 and saw genius college dropout Mike Ross (Patrick) join a high-profile Manhattan law firm with Sarah assuming the role of no-nonsense assistant Donna Paulsen. 

The Duchess played Rachel Zane - a paralegal who becomes a formidable attorney and eventually marries Ross.

On his podcast, Patrick shared how Meghan was 'perfect' for the role of Rachel and said: 'It was pretty clear that she was gonna get the part from the minute we did the chemistry read.'

Suits was added to Netflix in June last year and quickly attracted viewers with its binge-friendly catalogue of 134 episodes as it skyrocketed to the most streamed show of 2023.

Earlier this year, it was reported that a spin-off series entitled Suits: LA was in the works - four years after the original show that propelled Meghan into the spotlight came to an end.

Patrick - who years ago rallied behind Meghan as an 'enthusiastic, kind, cooperative, giving, joyful and supportive member of their television family' when she was accused of 'bullying' royal staff - earlier this year revealed he has had 'zero communication' with his former on-screen love interest.

In February, and fellow show lead Gabriel Macht confirmed that they haven't kept in touch with the Duchess following the legal drama's streaming success.

Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter on the set of T-Mobile's Super Bowl commercial, in which the duo feature, the pair were asked: 'Have you spoken to Meghan Markle recently?'

'I have not communicated with her other than seeing her big support for the resurgence, and that has been really nice,' American actor Gabriel, who played Harvey Specter in the series, said. 

Patrick added: 'Zero. No, no communication.'

The actor then jokingly pretended he was getting a call, saying: 'Oh, hold on. There she is. Oh, got to go.'

At the Golden Globes in January, Patrick and Gabriel presented the best TV drama award before they were joined by fellow stars Gina Torres and Sarah Rafferty. 

Gina - who played lawyer Jessica Pearson in the US legal drama - revealed at the LA ceremony that the ex-castmates simply 'don't have [Meghan's number' when asked if anyone had reached out to the former actress.

An insider told Page Six that the Duchess of Sussex was invited to the event, but 'unfortunately' wasn't able to make an appearance because of a 'previous commitment'.

Speaking to Variety on the red carpet, Gina was asked: 'Who texted Meghan and said "you've gotta come to the Golden Globes, Meghan Markle".' 

'We don't have her number. We just don't so. She'll see. She'll watch. She'll be happy that we're here,' said the 54-year-old US actress, who attended the Royal wedding between Prince Harry and Meghan in 2018.

The interviewer also asked: 'Did you plan this? Are you all texting each other?' She explained: 'When it all came through, we were all texting each other. Yes, our text thread is insane right now. So it's very exciting.'

Discussing Meghan's absence, a Globes insider told Page Six: 'We asked the Duchess, but we were told that, unfortunately, she had a previous commitment.'

Over the weekend, the Duchess attended a charity gala in support of LA Children's Hospital with her BFF Kelly McKee Zajfen.

The friends were seen holding hands and posing for photos while sweetly beaming at each other.