Meghan Markle’s birthday is just around the corner.
In 2018, Meghan had a double celebration — on her 37th birthday,she joined Prince Harry at the weddingof his friend Charlie van Straubenzee.
Meghan Markle attends the 2022 Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Ripple of Hope Gala on December 06, 2022.Mike Coppola/Getty
Last year, Meghanwoke up to well-wishesfrom across the pond.King Charles,Queen Camilla,Kate MiddletonandPrince Williamall sent celebratory messages on social media from their official accounts for her 41st birthday on Aug. 4.
“Wishing a happy birthday to The Duchess of Sussex,” Kate and William tweeted with a photo of Meghan from her visit to the U.K. a few months earlier forQueen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
Charles and Camilla also wished Meghan a happy birthday on Twitter, sharing a similar shot of the Duchess of Sussex from the Service of Thanksgiving held in the Queen’s honor at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London on June 3.
“Happy birthday to The Duchess of Sussex!” they wrote with the red balloon emoji.
Tyler Perry alsocelebrated the occasion on social media. He wrote, “I’ve had a front row seat in your life for the past few years. I’ve watched you endure things that would have broken a lot of people. I’m so incredibly proud to see how happy you, your husband, and your kids are now. It fills me with joy to say Happy Birthday Princess Meghan.”
Much has changed for the royal family following the death of Queen Elizabeth in September 2022 and the accession of King Charles. Prince Harry and Meghan werevisiting Europefrom their California home for a series of events with some of their longstanding charities when Harry’s grandmother died at age 96 on Sept. 8 at Balmoral Castle.
The couple remained abroad for the funerary events that followed, and Prince Harry returned for the coronation of his father on May 6. Meghanstayed backin Montecito with Archie and Lilibet on their son’s fourth birthday, and Harryheaded homeshortly after the crowning ceremony at Westminster Abbey. Some relations remain strained following the release of Harry’s groundbreaking memoirSparein January, where he reflected with candor on life in and beyond the royal spotlight.
This summer also marks three years since the Duke and Duchess of Sussex settled in Montecito following their step back from their senior royal roles in 2020. A family insider tells PEOPLE exclusively in this week’scover storythat for Prince Harry, it’s a “very different” life, and one he “seems to be embracing.”
The cover of PEOPLE, Aug. 14.
Despite their recognizability, a friend says Prince Harry and Meghan arequite casual.
“Harry’s a beer and steak-and-potatoes kind of dude,” says the pal. “They’re playful and flirty when they’re hanging out.”
Despite their public outings to restaurants, the beach and local markets, Prince Harry and Meghan largely keep to themselves. They work out of a shared office inside their sprawling $14.65 million estate, which boasts chicken coops, a playground and a vegetable garden.
“They’re not into a big scene. They prefer smaller group hangouts at home, karaoke, that sort of thing,” says the friend. (Of the two, Harry is more frequently out and about.)
But when Meghan arrives at school pickup, “she talks to everyone; there is no pretense,” says a longtime Montecito resident.
A photo of Prince Harry, Princess Lilibet, Meghan Markle and Prince Archie from the December 2022 docuseries ‘Harry & Meghan’ on Netflix.Netflix/Youtube
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On their priorities now, a source says Meghan “just wants tofocus on their kidsand their life in Montecito.”
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex “are very united when it comes to family values and how to raise their kids. They are both great parents,” the source adds. “Their kids are their world.”
The couple’s “goal,” says a source, is for Archie and Lili to “have a normal life as much as possible.”
source: people.com
