Meghan Markle celebrated her 45th birthday on Tuesday with a series of cheerful moments shared from her home in Montecito, California. The Duchess of Sussex posted a playful image of herself jumping into a swimming pool with balloons tied around her, then followed it with a candid kitchen video later in the day. While there were no public birthday wishes from King Charles or the wider royal family, that absence was tied to palace protocol rather than any personal slight, according to Hello Magazine.
King Charles Follows Birthday Message Protocol
The lack of a public post from the royal family's social media accounts stood out to royal watchers, but the reason appears straightforward. A rule introduced in 2022 under Queen Elizabeth II limits public birthday wishes for non-working royals to milestone years ending in zero. That policy also applied to Prince Harry until his 40th birthday in 2024, when the royal family's account posted: "Wishing The Duke of Sussex a very happy 40th birthday today!" The message was also shared by the Prince and Princess of Wales on their social channels.
Meghan Markle Shares Poolside Birthday Post
The Duchess gave followers a glimpse of her celebration with a poolside photo that matched the relaxed tone of the day. Wearing a black one-piece swimsuit, Meghan leapt into the water with balloons attached, smiling broadly as she marked the occasion. She kept the caption brief and upbeat: "Thank you for the birthday love!" Meghan appears to have opted for a low-key but lively celebration at home, focusing on family and fun rather than a formal public appearance or a large celebrity gathering.
As Ever Marks Founder Meghan's Special Day
Meghan's lifestyle brand, As Ever, also joined the celebration with a tribute on social media. The post included a carousel of images, among them a throwback photo from Meghan's childhood, and a message that centered on her role behind the brand. "Happy birthday to our founder, @meghan," the account wrote. The caption also referenced one of the company's candle scents with the line, "Lighting No. 084 to celebrate!" The birthday nod tied her personal milestone to the growing identity of the business she has been building.
Prince Harry Films Candid Kitchen Dance
Later, Meghan posted a light-hearted video from her kitchen, offering another look at the day's mood. Barefoot and wearing a sparkling "Happy Birthday" tiara, she danced around birthday balloons and a breakfast spread of bagels, cream cheese and tomatoes. Her outfit included a white T-shirt reading "It's Giving Mrs" with matching trousers. Prince Harry filmed the moment and could be heard reacting with amused affection in the background. "Oh dear," said Prince Harry according to Hello Magazine. The clip added a warm family note to the day's celebrations.
