Meghan Markle marked her 44th birthday without a single public greeting from members of the British Royal Family. Since she and Prince Harry stepped back from royal duties in 2020, senior Firm members typically only acknowledge birthdays of working royals.
Despite this, Meghan’s own lifestyle brand “As Ever” extended a festive message celebrating her as its founder and teasing the release of her 2024 Napa Valley Rosé product line. Additionally, a single close royal — Princess Eugenie — was rumored by commentators to be among the very few who might have reached out privately or via card, though no public message appeared from her either.
A Personal Tribute to Prince Harry
Rather than rely on external sources for birthday acknowledgments, Meghan turned to Instagram to express heartfelt gratitude to Prince Harry. Sharing a photo of herself blowing out candles on a hibiscus-adorned cake, she described the celebration as “a beautiful 24 hours” and singled out her husband, family, friends, and supporters for making it so special.
In her post, Meghan also thanked her broader audience:
“To those of you I don’t know, but who send love every day — thank you so much. Please know I feel it and appreciate it ❤️”
A-List Absence and Close-Knit Celebration
The Duchess marked the occasion with an intimate dinner at Funke, an acclaimed Los Angeles restaurant favored by celebrities and listed in the Michelin dining guide. She praised the meal as one of the “top five meals” of her life, highlighting the culinary mastery of chef Evan Funke and his team. While her husband and inner circle were present, Meghan did not receive publicly visible birthday wishes from high-profile friends such as Beyoncé, Tyler Perry, and several other A-list associates — a departure from past years when prominent celebrities participated in her birthday acknowledgments.
Royal Silence: A Pattern Since 2020
Royal commentators note that the absence of public goodwill messages from King Charles, Queen Camilla, the Prince and Princess of Wales, and other senior royals is consistent with protocol. Non-working royals and those who have stepped back—like Meghan and Harry—are usually acknowledged only on milestone birthdays (ending in “0” or “5”). Meghan’s last public royal birthday message came from the Firm in 2021 for her 40th birthday. Despite speculation, the Royal Family remains silent this year and likely made the same decision for her 42nd and 43rd birthdays, reflecting a shift in how the Firm engages with former working members.
Meghan’s Mix of Poise and Independence
Rather than stake her happiness on external validation, Meghan used her birthday as a moment of gratitude, family unity, and brand promotion. Her “As Ever” team’s message carried strong branding language:
“Celebrating the woman behind it all… today, we raise a glass to her! Happy birthday to our founder @meghan.” Some observers speculated Meghan may have played a role in crafting this tribute herself.
Summary
Meghan celebrated her 44th birthday with a private dinner in Beverly Hills and strong support from Prince Harry, her children, mother Doria, and close friends. The Royal Family did not post any public birthday wishes, continuing a recent pattern of silence toward the Sussexes. Meghan’s own brand, As Ever, marked the occasion with a glowing tribute and product announcement — arguably filling the void left by traditional royal recognition. Her public acknowledgments focused on gratitude and connection rather than conflict, reinforcing her self-sufficiency and ability to shape her own narrative.
By choosing closeness over formality and gratitude over grievance, Meghan reaffirmed that while public royal affirmations may fade, intimate support from those she values continues to define her experience.
