The Duchess of Sussex celebrated her 45th birthday on Tuesday with a mahjong-themed cake, a nod to one of her favorite pastimes. Friends and followers shared well wishes and glimpses into the Montecito-based celebration via social media.
Fashion designer Tracy Robbins, a close friend of Meghan, shared a picture of the two-tiered cake, which featured "Meghan" in gold icing. Robbins posted a tribute to the Duchess, writing, "Happy birthday to my partner in crime. Love doing life with you one bam bird at a time. Love you @meghan." The "bam bird" is a reference to a tile used in mahjong, a strategy game that Meghan has frequently played with a group of friends known as the "Maj Squad."
Robbins also shared a series of black-and-white photographs of the pair, including images of them playing mahjong, dining together, and enjoying cocktails. One photograph showed Meghan blowing out candles on the cake while wearing a wide-brimmed straw hat and a distinctive emerald choker.
Meghan has previously spoken about her enjoyment of mahjong. In her lifestyle show, "With Love, Meghan," she hosted Robbins, along with cosmetics entrepreneur Victoria Jackson and literary agent Jennifer Rudolph Walsh, for a mahjong game accompanied by tacos and cocktails.
Last year, Vicky Tsai, founder of Tatcha skincare and a friend of the Duchess, revealed that both Meghan and Prince Harry are avid mahjong players and have also taken up pickleball. Tsai described Meghan as creative and curious, noting her interest in unexpected activities like mahjong and her passion for pickleball.
Earlier this summer, Kelly McKee Zajfen, co-founder of Alliance of Moms, a non-profit supporting pregnant and parenting youth in foster care, joined Meghan and Robbins for a mahjong game. Zajfen, a friend of Meghan's for 20 years, shared a photo of the outdoor gathering on Instagram, thanking "Thanks M & T. Now back to the babes and obsessing over my next game," referring to Meghan and Tracy.
In addition to the mahjong celebration, Meghan shared videos on her Instagram of herself dancing to a birthday song and placing party hats on her dogs, Pula and Mamma Mia. Her lifestyle brand, As Ever, also marked the occasion with a social media post featuring photos of Meghan, including a throwback image of her as a child.