Meghan Markle celebrated her 45th birthday on Tuesday with a joyful Instagram post, but the royal family's silence on the milestone has reignited speculation about the ongoing rift. The Duchess of Sussex shared photos of herself leaping into a pool clutching a balloon bouquet, captioning them, "Thank you for the birthday love!" Yet, no official greeting came from Buckingham Palace or any royal social media account.
Royal commentators say the lack of public acknowledgment is hardly surprising, given the Sussexes' departure from royal duties in 2020. According to royal commentator Tom Sykes, the Palace's approach is consistent: "Birthday wishes to a private citizen would be sent privately. There's absolutely no way anything will be put on social media feeds or anything like that."
Why the Royals Are Silent
Royal expert Kinsey Schofield echoed Sykes' view, noting that the royal family has not posted birthday messages for Meghan since she stepped back from royal responsibilities. "The Royal Family has consistently reserved official birthday wishes for working royals, and Harry, Meghan, and their children haven't been included in that policy for several years," Schofield said. "Palace officials would tell you it's protocol, not personal."
Both commentators suggested that private gestures may still occur behind the scenes. Sykes noted that King Charles III, Harry's father, is "a scrupulously polite man" who would likely want to convey his wishes personally. Schofield agreed, saying Charles may have his palace staffers send a card or gift. "A discreet gesture would be entirely in keeping with his character," she added.
William and Kate Unlikely to Reach Out
The picture looks different when it comes to Prince William and Princess Catherine. Sykes said he does not expect Meghan to hear from that side of the family at all. Schofield was equally blunt, saying there is "simply" no relationship between Meghan and her brother-in-law at this point. "They believe Meghan played a significant role in the breakdown of family trust," she said, describing any suggestion of secret birthday exchanges as "more in the realm of wishful thinking than reality."
As for how the Duchess spent her day, details remain private. Schofield speculated that Meghan would mark the milestone surrounded by those closest to her, possibly at a favourite Montecito restaurant such as Lucky's Steakhouse or Tre Lune. Last year, Meghan celebrated her 44th birthday at Beverly Hills restaurant Funke, sharing an Instagram photo of herself blowing out candles. "Blowin' out the candles on a beautiful 24 hours, and thanking my husband, friends and family for making it so special," she wrote at the time. She also praised the venue's food, calling her meal one of the "top five meals of [her] life."
Meghan Markle Breaks Silence Amid Professional Separation
According to a previous report by Legit.ng, a report about Meghan Markle's marriage to Prince Harry circulated in the media, focusing on what has been tagged their 'professional separation'. The news caused an uproar on social media. Recall that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made headlines during their joint visit to Nigeria this year. The couple, who now reside in Montecito, California, have been navigating their post-royal careers, with Meghan focusing on lifestyle projects and Harry on charitable work.
The ongoing silence from the royal family, while unsurprising, continues to fuel public debate about the state of relationships within the monarchy. As the Sussexes forge their own path, the question of reconciliation remains open, but for now, the birthday snub is just another chapter in a long-running saga.
