Meghan Markle Shares a Throwback Photo of Her Husband Prince Harry on His 41st Birthday

What was meant to be a sweet, loving birthday tribute exploded into online chaos for Meghan Markle after a single Instagram post spiraled into a PR disaster. What started as an innocent celebration of Prince Harry's birthday quickly became fuel for internet sleuths and skeptics.

Meghan Markle marked her husband's 41st birthday on September 15, 2025, by posting a nostalgic throwback to Instagram. The image showed Prince Harry in full military garb, striding across an airfield — a dramatic and powerful look.

But what should have been a sentimental gesture immediately sparked suspicion, with many netizens pointing to the photo's heavily edited appearance.

Filtered Beyond Recognition? Meghan's 'Birthday Boy' Post Ignites Instant Backlash

Meghan kept the caption brief and flirtatious. "Oh hi, Birthday Boy 🔥," it read. But it was the image — not the words — that set the internet ablaze.

Critics zeroed in on apparent airbrushing, strange proportions, and Meghan's puzzling choice to post an old image instead of something recent or personal. Within minutes, the comments were flooded.

"That's embarrassing for both of them," one stunned Instagram follower declared. Another asked sarcastically, "Couldn't she find a better picture of him?? 🤦🏼‍♀️🤷🏼‍♀️" A third simply mocked the post, writing, "That picture😂😂😂😂😂😂why did she do that?😂😂😂😂😂"

Suspicion about the image's authenticity swirled like wildfire. On X, one viewer posed the burning question, "Has she made his head bigger? Made his hair more bouffant from the original. She's done something to it (apart from up the ginger, as she likes to do) but I can't for the life of me put my finger on what's been done."

Another critic aimed for the odd look of the image, asked, "It's like he has a head above his head? And why did she airbrush him?" The backlash didn't stop there.

Across Instagram threads, more viewers shared their unease. "I hope she knows how much this will be backfire… It's clearly a very old picture that has been edited…" one wrote ominously.

Another follower bluntly commented with brutal clarity, "😂😂😂😂 as if he looks like that, she's put some filters on there for sure! And made his nose and ears smaller 😂😂😂."

The Truth Behind the 10-Year-Old Throwback

The image, as it turns out, dates all the way back to September 15, 2015, taken at Goodwood Aerodrome in Chichester, England. It shows Prince Harry, then still a working royal, in full military flight gear during an official appearance.

His olive-green flight suit, adorned with aviation patches — including ones reading "Harry Wales" and "Boultbee Spitfire" — marked the solemn occasion: the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain. At the event, Harry was photographed touring a vintage Spitfire, set to take part in a commemorative flypast honoring fallen WWII pilots.

This isn't the first time Meghan's social media tributes have left followers feeling cold — and questioning what she chooses not to show.

'Where's Your Husband?' Meghan's Own Birthday Post Triggers Separate Controversy

As we had reported just last month, Meghan's own birthday post turned into a viral spectacle. Fans honed in not just on the glamorous photo, but on what — and who — was missing.

The Duchess of Sussex, who turned 44 on August 4, shared a carefully curated snapshot on August 6. But the comments section spiraled into a guessing game over her marriage and her appearance.

"Blowing out the candles on a beautiful 24 hours, and thanking my husband, friends and family for making it so special," she wrote. "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 ❤️."

She also gushed over her upscale dinner at Funke, a celebrity-favorite Italian eatery in Los Angeles. "The culinary mastery of @evanfunke and his team is in the top five meals of my life. Extraordinary 🍝 Thank you for a standout dining experience," she added.

The post featured a photo of Meghan seated at a restaurant table, leaning forward to blow out two lit candles on a round, flower-topped cake. She wore a white Valentino mini dress with floral appliqués and gem embellishments around the collar.

She previously wore the same outfit during an appearance with Prince Harry at Global Citizen Live in New York City in September 2021. But the focus wasn’t on fashion — it was on Harry and their kids' absence.

Trolls Take Aim at Every Angle

Shortly after Meghan's post went live, followers filled the comment section with questions. Several focused on the apparent absence of Prince Harry and their two children, Archie and Lilibet. "Where's your husband?" one asked. Another wondered, "Still nothing from Harry! Are they separated?" A third added, "Family? Where? 😂"

Similar comments appeared beneath other birthday-related posts across her profile. "Where was Harry? How long is she going to be 44???" one follower asked. "I don't see Harry or the kids in this pic! 😢" said another. "Where's Harry? Where's his tribute? It must be true that they have separated," another added.

Some netizens turned their attention to Meghan's appearance, suggesting cosmetic changes. "Showcasing her new nose and jawline for her birthday," one comment read. Another joked, "Happy new nose. 😂" A third simply stated, "New nose." An additional person remarked, "Nice new nose 🐽 job 😂."

"Did she had [sic] a nose job?" asked another. "Oh wow – she has a new nose. Is it the 4th or 5th or 🤔," someone else commented. Speculation continued on X, where one person asked, "Did she get her nose done or something?"

Another posted, "Did Meghan get nose filler? She likes to show off when she gets her wonky nose filled and straightened." One added, "She's had a nose job. That's why she's been radio silent."

A Friend's Tribute Shifts the Focus

While Meghan's own post lacked any family appearances, her close friend Tracy Robbins stepped in to share a warm snapshot of the pair, drinks in hand. It was a rare moment of levity amid the swirling controversy.

"Happy birthday my dear @meghan Oh how I can laugh and dance with you like no other. You are sunshine in a bottle! Thank you for always making time to be such a loving and connected friend no matter what's going on in your life. You dance through this life with so much grace, light and love! I hope your wee posse of 3 are smothering you with hugs and kisses today my dear! Happiest of birthdays M! [sic]," she penned.

Just before the birthday post went viral, Meghan and Harry were photographed enjoying a sunny beach day in Carpinteria, California, watching young Prince Archie take surfing lessons. But even this innocent moment, shared on August 2, triggered both praise and uproar from fans.