Here’s Why Meghan Markle’s Birthday Sparks a Stir: Her Age & At-Home Celebration Called ‘So Tacky’

Happy belated birthday to the Duchess of Sussex, who celebrated her birthday on August 4! Opting for a low-key affair, a news outlet reports that Meghan Markle likely had an intimate celebration with her close loved ones at home. While her decision is arguably endearing, many netizens don’t seem to think so.

According to Grant Harold, who is King Charles III’s former royal butler, Meghan marked her birthday surrounded by the love of her husband, Prince Harry, their family, and a few of her best friends. The Duke of Sussex was believed to have thrown an at-home BBQ for the celebration.

“He is a gentleman and a good cook. He is quite old-fashioned like that […] They do enjoy summer BBQs outdoors,” Grant shared. He also added that Prince Harry, undoubtedly, would ensure that his wife felt celebrated on her special day.

Since finding out how Meghan may have celebrated her birthday, social media users wasted no time in expressing their opinions. Many could hardly believe how old Meghan had turned—43.

“I really had no idea she was in her 40’s,” penned someone on Facebook. Another expressed, “How🤔❓ many years is this woman going to be 43 years old 😳🙄.”

Echoing the surprise, someone on X wrote, “I thought she was in her 40’s when she got married….boy, time sure stands still when you’re having fun.” “43😂😂50,” remarked a Facebooker.

Referencing the fact that Meghan had a home celebration at her and Prince Harry’s Montecito mansion, a social media user stated, “So tacky.” Chiming in with their own belief of what happened, an X user said, “No one had a party for her.”

On the other hand, a wave of praise ensued amid the vitriol. “This will be one of the most epic birthdays ever!” exclaimed a fan on the same day the media outlet’s birthday article was posted (August 4, 2024). Others also brought Prince Harry into the mix, commending him as a good husband and complimenting the couple.

“Absolutely beautiful couple! He adores her!” swooned an admirer on Facebook. Similarly, another fan gushed, “Love [Meghan] and Harry… [Finally] they have a real life.”

Aside from Prince Harry, Grant reported that Prince William and Princess Catherine would send a birthday message to Meghan. While it’s no secret that the Sussex royals and the Windsor royals have been at odds for some time, Grant said he did not doubt that the Prince and Princess of Wales would, at least, wish Meghan well.

However, he added, “Whether it be electronically, a phone call or a birthday card is hard to say with the ongoing rift.” As far as King Charles III and Queen Camilla, whom Prince Harry and Meghan have tension with as well, are concerned, Grant believed that they, too, would send their regards.

“I also think […] they will rise above everything that has happened because at the end of the day, they are still family. I don’t think that will change certainly despite everything that’s happened,” divulged the former royal staff member.

Moreover, Grant asserted that there was a chance that Meghan would even receive a special delivery from the palace.

“They may send a gift as well, but given everything that has happened, there might not be. If they were all still getting on I can imagine it would be […] something from the royal collection, possibly a hand-me-down from the late Queen,” Grant mentioned.

However, he also noted how Meghan shouldn’t hold her breath in anticipation of receiving a public, social media message addressed to her from the senior royal members.

He based his assumption on the fact that last year (2023), the royal family did not publicly wish Meghan a happy birthday when she turned 42.

What’s interesting, however, is the fact that the year prior, Meghan received public acknowledgment from the King, Queen, Prince William, and Princess Catherine, on social media.

Thus far, the royal family has not shared any birthday message to honor Meghan on social media; although, time will tell if they end up doing so eventually. However, it would seem from their recent actions in snubbing the Sussexes from a family tradition that they are unlikely to do so.

On August 2, two days before Meghan’s birthday, a popular media outlet published an article reporting that King Charles III did not include his second-born son and daughter-in-law on the guest list for an event at Balmoral Castle.

According to the outlet, King Charles III is carrying on his late mother’s tradition of hosting a family gathering at the Balmoral estate in Scotland. This year, like the last few years, has been no exception in leaving Prince Harry and Meghan out of the festivities.

Adding further insult to injury is the fact that Prince Harry is missing out on revisiting the location where he spent a lot of time growing up. Furthermore, reports stipulate that Meghan has never even visited the 50,000-acre estate where Queen Elizabeth passed away in 2022.

The Scottish Highlands serve as an annual retreat away from the public eye for the royal family, where they get to spend their days horseback riding, hunting, and fishing.

Having established an independent life in Montecito, California away from the monarchy, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry opted to forgo their royal roles in 2020. This is part of what offset the rift between them and the rest of the royal family, prompting heated relations marked by unhealed wounds and backlash.

The Sussexes have endured vitriol and online bullying from the public for a long time as well, forcing them to build tough skins. However, they still have concerns about how their kids, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet will be impacted by such when they get older.

Speaking about it in a recent interview, Meghan disclosed, “Our kids are young; they’re three and five […] all you want to do as parents is protect them. And so, as we can see what’s happening in the online space, we know that there’s a lot of work to be done there, and we’re just happy to be able to be a part of change for good.”