Why did Meghan Markle skip star-studded event?

Meghan Markle's absence from Beyoncé's final Cowboy Carter tour performance in Las Vegas on July 26, 2025, has sparked intense speculation among fans and media. 

The concert, held at Allegiant Stadium, was attended by several high-profile celebrities, including Oprah Winfrey, Gayle King, Tyler Perry, Kris Jenner, Khloé Kardashian, and Kerry Washington, all of whom were photographed together in the VIP section.

The final show of Beyoncé's tour was a grand affair, featuring surprise performances by Jay-Z, Destiny's Child, and Shaboozey. The event drew a capacity crowd, with many fans and celebrities alike attending to bid farewell to the tour. 

Markle's friends and acquaintances, including Oprah Winfrey and Gayle King, were spotted at the event, fueling speculation about her absence.

Royal commentator Sarah Hewson suggested that Meghan Markle's absence might be linked to comments made by Beyoncé's mother, Tina Knowles, during a podcast interview with Markle. 

Knowles emphasized the importance of resolving disagreements promptly to avoid long-term estrangement, which Hewson interpreted as a potential indirect reference to Markle's estrangement from her father, Thomas Markle, and Prince Harry's strained relationship with King Charles III.

Markle has well-documented relationships with several attendees, including Oprah Winfrey, Gayle King, Tyler Perry, and Kerry Washington. 

The Duchess of Sussex had previously attended Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter tour stop in Los Angeles with Prince Harry, where they were photographed alongside other celebrities.

Despite speculation, there is no confirmed link between the interview and Markle's absence, and her absence does not appear to be linked to any publicised personal or professional conflict with Beyoncé or the attendees.