Meghan Markle is celebrating her 42nd birthday today but according to sources she would probably prefer to mark the occasion “privately” this year.
It is thought the Duchess will enjoy her day surrounded by family and close friends at home in Montecito, with her husband Prince Harry and their children Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
The day falls in the midst of a period of uncertainty for the Sussexes, with many pondering what they plan to do next following the end of their partnership with Spotify, as they only have two years left on their contract with Netflix.
PR expert Mayah Riaz told the Daily Record: “[The celebrations] will possibly be quite toned down this year and likely to be a private affair.”
Meghan’s mother Doria Ragland may also be travelling to the Sussex home to celebrate, as she lives not too far away in California.
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Meghan appears to have marked her birthday in a similar understated fashion last year, as representatives for the Sussexes told Us Weekly in 2022: “The Duchess is enjoying a lovely birthday this year with her family and dear friends.”
For her birthday back in 2019, when she was still officially a working member of the Royal Family, Meghan was treated to an artisanal cake from Luminary in her favourite flavour, carrot cake, according to Hello!
That year the couple were still living at Frogmore Cottage in Windsor with Archie, who would have been just three months old.
Writing on her now-defunct blog The Tig back in 2016, Meghan revealed that mum Doria had inspired her to carry out her own birthday tradition each year.
She posted: “My mom has always said that birthdays are your own personal New Year. Your own chance to make resolutions just for yourself and what you prognosticate for your year ahead.
“More surprises, more adventure, more opportunities to grow, more days filled with giggles and cheeky jokes, more delicious meals, and more inspiration. Always more inspiration.”
This week Harry and Meghan made a rare public appearance together in a new video for the Responsible Technology Youth Power Fund, which saw them ringing those awarded by the Fund to congratulate them.
Body language expert Judi James gave an insight to The Sun about the two onscreen: “They seem keen to focus attention on their cause rather than on any soap-opera potential here and their lack of cute tie-signs.”
“And even Meghan’s choice of neutrals could be an attempt to avoid upstaging the young people they are calling.”
