Meghan Markle Marks 44 with Family-First Celebration

Hi, I’m Riley Carter, your casually curious guide to celeb life. Another day, another high-profile birthday, but Meghan Markle’s 44th felt like a mini Netflix special of family feels and gourmet moments.
Early on Monday, the Duchess of Sussex shared a sun-drenched video from her sprawling Montecito estate, carrying a wicker basket packed with fresh blooms and bottles of her upcoming As Ever rosé. On As Ever’s Instagram she teased “Goodness in a glass. Right around the corner…” as fans toasted to August and her new 2024 Napa Valley release.
Later in the day, Meghan posted an intimate snapshot of family gathered around a lit cake. “Blowing out the candles on a beautiful 24 hours, and thanking my husband, friends and family for making it so special,” she wrote, tagging husband Prince Harry, their six-year-old son Archie, four-year-old daughter Lilibet and her mom Doria Ragland. “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 culinary highlight came that evening at @funke_la, where Meghan raved that her dinner prepared by chef Evan Funke and team “is in the top five meals of my life. Extraordinary ???? Thank you for a standout dining experience.” According to the Duchess, this unannounced low-key soirée perfectly balanced cozy family time with foodie flair.
Notably absent was any royal household fanfare. Since stepping back from senior duties in 2020, Meghan and Harry have not exchanged public greetings with the Firm. Buckingham Palace again stayed silent on this milestone, following no public messages for her 42nd and 43rd birthdays. That stands in stark contrast to her 41st celebration, when King Charles, Queen Camilla and the Prince and Princess of Wales all posted well-wishes. As palace protocol dictates, only working royals receive annual birthday posts, while non-working members get noted only on landmark years.
All in all, Meghan’s 44th blended personal milestones with brand-building savvy. From sharing family snapshots to dropping rosé hints and tipping her hat to top-tier cuisine, the day felt like a seamless mix of real life and influencer-level moments. Okay cool, so like, yeah, that happened.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and New York Post, Instagram
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed