The Royal Family share lovely messages as Meghan Markle turns 40
Happy Birthday, Meghan! 🎉
Last updated 24th May 2022
Despite the ongoing reports of rift between Meghan Markle and the rest of the Royal family, following THAT controversial interview earlier this year with Oprah Winfrey, it looks like water has been put under the bridge as the former Suits actress celebrates her 40th birthday.
Senior Royal family members including The Queen, Prince Charles and Prince William have all taken to social media today (Wednesday 4th August), as mum-of-two Meghan celebrates her birthday over in America.
The official Royal family Twitter account shared three photo of Meghan alongside Her Majesty, her husband Prince Harry and her eldest son Archie, writing: 'Wishing The Duchess of Sussex a very Happy Birthday today!'
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge also wished Meghan well, writing: 'Wishing a happy 40th birthday to The Duchess of Sussex! 🎂', alongside a stunning photo of her.
Following suit, The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall also shared a public message online, writing: 'Wishing The Duchess of Sussex a very happy 40th birthday.' (sic)
The public messages arrive following reports of a rift between Meghan, Prince Harry and the rest of the Royal family.
After the pair stepped back from their roles as working Royals and moved to America permanently, eyebrows were raised when the couple took part in a controversial tell-all interview with American broadcaster Oprah Winfrey.
Prince Harry last made an appearance in the UK to unveil a stunning statue of his late mum Princess Diana, alongside his brother Prince William at her former home Kensington Palace.
Meanwhile, after welcoming their son Archie back in 2019, Prince Harry and Meghan become parents for the second time in June this year.
A statement from the couple’s press secretary said: “It is with great joy that Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, welcome their daughter, Lilibet “Lili” Diana Mountbatten-Windsor, to the world.
“Lili was born on Friday, June 4 at 11.40am in the trusted care of the doctors and staff at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital in Santa Barbara, California.
“She weighed 7lbs 11oz. Both mother and child are healthy and well, and settling in at home. Lili is named after her great-grandmother, Her Majesty The Queen, whose family nickname is Lilibet.
“Her middle name, Diana, was chosen to honour her beloved late grandmother, The Princess of Wales.
“The Duke and Duchess thank you for your warm wishes and prayers as they enjoy this special time as a family.”
Now take a look at The Cambridge children throughout the years:
2013: Prince George is born
The Duke and Duchess welcomed their first child together, Prince George, on 22nd July 2013. They presented their son to the world on the steps of The Lindo Wing at St. Mary's Hospital, as is traditional for the Royal Family.
2014: Prince George's first birthday
Wills and Kate released a series of beautiful photos of themselves with their son Prince George during a visit to the Sensational Butterflies exhibition at the Natural History Museum in London to mark his first birthday.
2015: Princess Charlotte is born
The Cambridge's second child, Princess Charlotte, was born on 2nd May 2015. The couple once again presented her to the world on the steps of The Lindo Wing at St. Mary's Hospital.
2015: Visit to Balmoral Castle
In April 2021, members of the Royal Family shared family photos to celebrate the life of Prince Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh after his sad passing. This photo depicts Prince George as a toddler and Princess Charlotte as an infant, sharing a look with her great-grandmother the Queen. The caption read, 'Today we share, along with Members of @theroyalfamily, photographs of The Duke of Edinburgh, remembering him as a father, grandfather and great-grandfather.'
2015: Prince George in Norfolk with his great-grandfather, Prince Phillip
This photo was shared on the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's Instagram account so that Prince William could pay tribute to his grandfather after he passed away in April 2021. The photo depicts Prince George enjoying a horse and cart ride with his great-grandfather in Norfolk in 2015.
2016: Prince George starts nursery
This adorable shot taken by the Duchess of Cambridge in January 2016 shows a sweet Prince George before his first day at Westacre Montessori School Nursery in Norfolk, near Anmer Hall, the country home of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their family.
2017: Prince George starts school
Prince William could be seen dropping off his son Prince George at Thomas's Battersea prep school in September 2017, pictured here with Helen Haslem, head of the lower school.
2017: Family Christmas card
The 2017 Christmas card was shot at Kensington Palace and was a more formal image than many of those previously issued by the royals around the Christmas period. The family could be seen wearing similar shades of blue, with Prince George wearing the same striped shirt by Amaia which he previously sported in his fourth birthday photo.
2018: Princess Charlotte starts nursery
In January 2018, Princess Charlotte proved she was a natural at the 'first day of school' photograph by posing before starting at Willocks Nursery School in London.
2018: Prince Louis is born
Prince Louis was born on 23rd April 2018, once again being presented on the steps of the Lindo Wing by parents the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
2018: Balmoral Castle
This photo, taken in 2018, was shared by the Royal Family in April 2021 after the sad passing of Prince Phillip, showing himself and the Queen surrounded by their great-grandchildren. 'Captured by The Duchess of Cambridge 📷 The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh surrounded by seven of their great-grandchildren at Balmoral Castle in 2018.'
2019: Princess Charlotte's first day of school
Princess Charlotte's first day at Thomas's Battersea in South London saw her join big brother George at the prestigious school, which famously values kindness as much as academic success. She arrived with her parents, the Duchess and Duke of Cambridge, who said she was 'very excited'.
May 2020: Princess Charlotte's 5th birthday
These pictures of Princess Charlotte were released on her 5th birthday in May 2020, taken by the Duchess as the family helped to pack up and deliver food packages for isolated pensioners in the local area.
June 2020: Prince William's 38th birthday
The family shared these gorgeous snaps of Prince William and his three children on his 38th birthday in June 2020, taken by the Duchess. They wrote, 'The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are very pleased to share a new picture of The Duke with Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis ahead of The Duke's birthday tomorrow.'
July 2020: Prince George's 7th birthday
These photos of Prince George were shared to celebrate the future King's seventh birthday.
September 2020: David Attenborough visits
Sir David Attenborough paid a visit to Kensington Palace gardens after Prince William had previously attended an outdoor screening of David Attenborough: A Life On Our Planet. He gifted a tooth from a giant shark to Prince George, having found the tooth on a family holiday to Malta in the late 1960s.
December 2020: The Cambridge's Christmas Card
The family shared their Christmas card 2020 portrait, taken by Matt Porteous at Anmer Hall in Norfolk and released two weeks before the main event. They wrote, 'The Duke and Duchess are delighted to share a new image of their family, which features on their Christmas card this year🎄.'
April 2021: Prince Louis' third birthday
Prince Louis turned three-years-old on 23rd April 2021, and his parents shared this adorable photo of him on his bike with the caption, 'Taken earlier this week by The Duchess before he left for his first day of nursery, The Duke and Duchess are pleased to share a new image of Prince Louis. 🎈'
December 2021: Christmas card
The family's 2021 Christmas card showed the Duke and Duchess with their three children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis on a family trip to Jordan.
September 2022: The Cambridges' first day at school
The Cambridges' first day at a new school was in September 2022. Four-year-old Prince Louis began full-time education and was joined by his nine-year-old brother and seven-year-old sister for his big moment at the private school near Ascot.
December 2022: The Prince and Princess of Wales Christmas card
The Prince and Princess of Wales official 2022 Christmas card was released in December 2022, it shows the family walking hand-in-hand through the Norfolk countryside.
Prince Harry and Meghan have so far decided to keep baby Lilibet out of the spotlight, sharing no photos.