Prince Harry may whisk Meghan Markle off on an ‘intimate getaway’ to mark her 40th birthday, sources have claimed.
The Duchess of Sussex turns 40 on August 4, and contrary to previous reports, the couple are not planning a party for 65 people at their £11million Montecito mansion, according to Page Six.
It was suggested that Meghan had enlisted top celebrity wedding and event planner, Colin Cowie, to organise her birthday celebration, but that is ‘absolutely not happening’, the publication reported.
Instead the mother-of-two – who recently gave birth to daughter Lilibet ‘Lili’ Diana – will reportedly celebrate a ‘low-key’ affair amid the worsening Covid-19 situation in California.
Royal experts have also speculated that the Sussexes may choose to release an eagerly-anticipated family photo to mark the special occasion. Fans are still waiting to catch a glimpse of Lili, who was born in June.
Prince Harry may whisk Meghan Markle off on an ‘intimate getaway’ to mark her 40th birthday, sources have claimed (pictured together in October 2018)
Royal commentator Phil Dampier told The Sun Online: ‘I think it’s likely we will see a picture of the family. It wouldn’t surprise me, if Meghan does release a pic of her with Lilibet to mark her 40th birthday, as they’ll will want to emphasise what a happy family unit they are.
‘And it will be interesting to see what messages she gets from the royals – I suspect they will post messages, even though in private they are very upset about was has happened,’ – presumably a nod to their explosive Oprah Winfrey interview.
The couple are not planning to attend the grand birthday party of former President Obama – who turns 60 on the same day – which is believed to be taking place at his Martha’s Vineyard home over the weekend.
How Harry – who is on parental leave – is planning to spoil his wife on her special day is not known, but people close to the couple told the publication there are plenty of spots near their home where he can take her and their two children.
According to The Mirror, Prince Harry has reportedly ordered a cake for his wife from a local bakery, Posies & Sugar, which creates cakes in a simple semi-naked icing look and decorated with flowers.
Last year Meghan enjoyed a quiet birthday at home amid the Covid-19 pandemic, five months after she and Harry sensationally quit the Royal Family and moved to the US.
Last year Meghan enjoyed a quiet birthday at home amid the Covid-19 pandemic, five months after she and Harry sensationally quit the Royal Family and moved to the US (pictured while pregnant earlier this year)
Her 40th is five months before her sister-in-law Kate Middleton’s, while Prince William also hits the milestone in June next year.
Since they got together, Harry and Meghan have enjoyed intimate birthday celebrations. For the Duchess’ 36th, the prince took her away to Botswana where they carried out conservation work with the charity Elephants Without Borders.
She marked her 37th – her first birthday as an official member of the Royal Family – at the wedding of Harry’s friend Charlie van Straubenzee and Daisy Jenks in Surrey.
On her 38th, which was Meghan’s first as a mother, having given birth to son Archie in May 2019, the couple held a private celebration at their Frogmore Cottage home in Windsor before flying to Ibiza.
Last month it was reported Prince Harry has clinched a lucrative four-book deal – with the second due out only after the Queen has died.
How Harry – who is on parental leave – is planning to spoil his wife on her special day is not known. Pictured: Harry and Meghan with Archie in a photo released to announce they were expecting their second child
Industry insiders said the initial ‘tell-all’ tome unveiled by Harry is only the ‘tip of the iceberg’.
Sources said the Duke of Sussex oversaw the bidding and told publishing houses to begin at £18million, with the final figure possibly reaching £29million.
The deal will see a memoir released next year – when it is the Queen’s platinum jubilee – with the second book to be held back until after her death.
Meanwhile Meghan is to pen a ‘wellness’ guide as part of the contract with Penguin Random House. The subject and author of the fourth title is unknown.
The Duchess is also believed to be working on a new animated Netflix series that will be based – at least in part – on her own childhood, with its title character called Pearl, the origin meaning of her name.
Last month she revealed she will both ‘create and produce’ the series, which focuses on a ’12-year-old heroine who finds inspiration in influential women from history’.
Few other details were released about the series – which is being co-produced by Elton John’s husband David Furnish – including which influential female figures will feature, however the choice of name for its young ‘heroine’ offers a fair amount of insight into the kind of character that will be portrayed on screen.
The name Meghan originated in Wales, where it is traditionally spelled Megan, however it originally came from the Greek name Margaret, derived from the word margaritēs, which translates to ‘pearl’.