Meghan Markle Turns 45: What King Charles Is Expected to Do — and Why William and Kate Are a Different Story

Public birthday tributes are not expected from the palace. Even so, royal commentators believe the occasion could quietly reveal more than any public message would.

Meghan Markle celebrated her 45th birthday on August 4, 2026, as royal commentators predicted the occasion would offer another glimpse into the royal family's evolving relationships behind closed doors.

According to experts who spoke with Page Six, the Duchess of Sussex is not expected to receive a public birthday message from the royal family.

Since Meghan and Prince Harry stepped back as working royals in 2020, official birthday wishes have been reserved for members carrying out royal duties.

Royal commentator Tom Sykes said any acknowledgment for Meghan would be handled privately rather than through the royal family's public platforms.

"There's absolutely no way anything will be put on social media feeds or anything like that," Sykes said. Meanwhile, royal expert Kinsey Schofield said the palace's approach has remained consistent in recent years, even as public interest in the Sussexes continues.

"Harry, Meghan, and their children haven't been included in that policy for several years," Schofield told the outlet. "Palace officials would tell you it's protocol, not personal."

Why Palace Protocol Leaves One Question Unanswered

While the palace's public policy is clear, commentators believe it leaves room for private family gestures. Sykes said King Charles III is likely to acknowledge Meghan's birthday privately, although any message or gift would likely remain out of public view.

"Charles has always had a compassionate streak, and despite everything that's happened, he has rarely gone out of his way to be overtly unkind toward Meghan," Schofield said. "A discreet gesture would be entirely in keeping with his character."

Why Commentators See a Different Outcome for William and Catherine

The same royal experts do not expect Prince William and Princess Catherine to take a similar approach, pointing instead to the current state of the relationship between the couples.

"The relationship simply isn't there anymore," Schofield said. "They believe Meghan played a significant role in the breakdown of family trust, and I think any suggestion that they're secretly exchanging birthday wishes belongs more in the realm of wishful thinking than reality."

When the Royal Family Last Publicly Marked Meghan's Birthday

The reported expectations this year would mark a notable change from the public birthday tributes Meghan once received from several royal households.

When Meghan turned 38 in 2019, the former Sussex Royal Instagram account shared a smiling photo of her during the couple's royal tour of Africa, along with a message from Prince Harry that read: "Happy Birthday to my amazing wife. Thank you for joining me on this adventure! Love, H."

Clarence House, then the official residence of Charles when he was Prince of Wales, also posted a birthday tribute.

The post featured three photos: a close-up portrait of Meghan smiling, an image of her speaking with Charles while expecting Prince Archie, and another showing Meghan laughing with Camilla during a public engagement.

The Royal Family's Instagram page also wished Meghan "a very happy birthday" with a photo of her and Harry holding hands during a public engagement.

William and Catherine, through the Kensington Palace social media accounts, joined the birthday wishes with a group photo featuring Meghan alongside senior members of the royal family and the message: "Wishing a very happy birthday to The Duchess of Sussex today!"

The public birthday greetings continued as Meghan turned 39 in 2020, with the monarchy's account sharing another birthday post featuring Meghan and the late Queen Elizabeth II.

When Meghan turned 40 in 2021, the Royal Family posted another greeting on X, alongside a collage of three photos showing Meghan with Elizabeth II, Harry and Archie, and the Sussexes during a public engagement.

The public birthday greetings continued when Meghan turned 41 in 2022.

On X, Kensington Palace paired its greeting with a solo photo of Meghan wearing a cream-colored outfit and wide-brimmed hat during an official appearance, while Clarence House shared an Instagram Story that read, "Happy birthday to the Duchess of Sussex!" followed by a balloon emoji.

That changed when Meghan turned 42 in 2023. According to TMZ, Charles, Camilla, William and Catherine did not publicly mark her birthday.

A Buckingham Palace representative told the outlet that official birthday greetings are generally reserved for working members of the royal family, a category that no longer includes Harry and Meghan.

How Meghan Marked the Milestone

Meghan offered followers a glimpse of how she celebrated the occasion herself. The former "Suits" star shared a black-and-white Instagram carousel that showed her swinging into a swimming pool from a rope while holding a cluster of birthday balloons.

She wore a simple dark one-piece swimsuit and sunglasses, keeping the celebration relaxed and informal. A second image captured the splash after she hit the water, while balloons — including one that read "Happy Birthday" — floated above the pool.

Meghan kept the caption brief, writing, "Thank you for the birthday love! 🎈" The post also appeared with its comments disabled, preventing followers from leaving public replies beneath the birthday message.

As reported by People, Meghan offered followers a more intimate look at the celebration through a series of Instagram Stories that captured the relaxed atmosphere inside the family's Montecito home.

In one clip, the Duchess danced around her kitchen as the familiar "Happy Birthday" song played in the background. A pan sizzled on the stovetop beside a countertop set with bagels, sliced tomatoes, herbs and other breakfast ingredients, suggesting preparations for a birthday meal.

Meghan wore a white T-shirt printed with "It's Giving Mrs.", matching white lounge pants and a colorful birthday headband, while balloons decorated the room behind her.

As she danced and laughed, Harry could be heard off-camera saying, "Oh, dear," before Meghan responded with a laugh.

The Stories then shifted to the couple's two dogs, black Labrador Pula and beagle Mia, as Meghan and Harry tried to include them in the festivities with tiny silver party hats. The playful attempt quickly unraveled when the dogs refused to cooperate.

Meghan could be heard laughing, saying, "Oh, no," while Harry patiently encouraged them with, "Sit, sit, sit... Wait..." As one of the dogs shook off its hat, Meghan laughed again and added, "Let's take it off. I'm sorry," ending the lighthearted moment.

Although Meghan did not receive any public birthday greetings from the royal family, she did receive a heartfelt message from one of her close friends.

In 2025, when Meghan turned 44, she gave fans a glimpse of the birthday festivities on Instagram, sharing a photo of herself blowing out the candle on her birthday cake.

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

The estranged royal revealed that she had her birthday dinner at the exclusive Italian restaurant, Funke, in Beverly Hills. In her post, she gave a special shout-out to the restaurant owner, Evan Funke.

"And just to get a little foodie on you….this dinner last night at @funke_la with 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 said.

Meghan also shared her birthday with her former "Suits" co-star and close friend, Abigail Spencer. Spencer, who also turned 44, honored the occasion with a heartfelt Instagram tribute. "As glorious as the day I met you," Spencer began.

"Champagne in human form. A creature unlike any other. Thank you for being a sister in this life, and beyond. Words can't capture. From the rooftops. So grateful for your life, @meghan ✨. Thanks for saving mine. Love, Abs. 44/4. 8/4/81 👯‍♀️," she wrote.

Marking her first public exchange in a comments section since returning to Instagram in January 2025, Meghan replied to Spencer's tribute, "Thank you, sweet Abs! 🥹 Right back at you, and happy birthday to YOU! 44/4."