Meghan Markle's 45th birthday is anticipated to be marked by a divided response from the British royal family, with King Charles III expected to extend private birthday wishes while other senior members, including Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, are likely to remain silent. The Duchess of Sussex's birthday falls on Tuesday.
According to royal commentator Tom Sykes, King Charles III, as a "scrupulously polite man," will likely send his daughter-in-law his birthday wishes. "I’m quite certain he would wish to send his daughter-in-law his birthday wishes," Sykes told Page Six. Royal expert Kinsey Schofield echoed this sentiment, suggesting that Charles might send a birthday card or a modest gift "through his staff." Schofield noted that Charles possesses a "compassionate streak" and has rarely been overtly unkind to Markle, making a discreet gesture consistent with his character.
However, Sykes and Schofield both believe that Prince William and Catherine will not acknowledge Markle's birthday. "I don’t think they will be expecting any [birthday wishes] from Prince William and Catherine," Sykes stated. Schofield added that the couple is unlikely to acknowledge Markle's birthday "in any capacity," asserting, "The relationship simply isn’t there anymore." She explained that William and Catherine believe Markle played a significant role in the breakdown of family trust and that any notion of them exchanging birthday wishes is wishful thinking.
There is also no expectation that the royal family will publicly acknowledge Markle's birthday on social media. Sykes indicated that birthday wishes to a private citizen, a status he attributes to Markle and Prince Harry since their 2020 resignation from royal duties, are sent privately. "There’s absolutely no way anything will be put on social media feeds or anything like that," he said.
Schofield further clarified that the royal family has a protocol of reserving official birthday wishes for working royals. "Harry, Meghan, and their children haven’t been included in that policy for several years," she noted, adding that palace officials would describe this as protocol rather than a personal slight.
Prince Harry and Markle have been working to mend their relationship with King Charles, particularly after his cancer diagnosis. They recently visited the King and Queen Camilla with their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, for a private gathering at Highgrove House in the UK. This meeting was the first time the Sussexes and their children had been together with Charles and Camilla in four years. While a source described the audience as "not entirely warm and fuzzy," Harry and Charles are reportedly easing tensions. Harry is also expected to return to the UK in September and may have the opportunity to stay at Buckingham Palace.
In contrast, the strained relationship between Prince Harry and his brother, Prince William, appears to remain unresolved. Last year, Markle celebrated her 44th birthday with friends at a Los Angeles restaurant. She shared on Instagram that her husband, friends, and family had made the day special, and expressed appreciation for anonymous messages of support. The royal family did not publicly acknowledge her birthday on any platform in 2023, a pattern that has continued since the couple stepped back as working royals.