Meghan Markle hits a special milestone – that’s because today marks her birthday. The former Suits actress is celebrating her 44th birthday as she continues to focus on growing her As Ever lifestyle brand, with a new wine going on sale this week.

The past 12 months have marked many major changes for Meghan, especially since the dawn of 2025, with the launch of her new Instagram account, lifestyle brand, as well as her Netflix cookery show.

However, one thing has remained – Meghan and Prince Harry’s long-running rift with the Royal Family following their dramatic departure from the Firm. It comes as news that Harry will ‘never be forgiven’ by two major royals despite reconciliation hope..

Harry and Meghan together in New York earlier this year (Image: Getty Images for TIME)

And for royal expert Jennie Bond, while Harry will be keen to make his wife’s special day as memorable as it can be, she believes the same can’t be said for the rest of the Royal Family.

The former BBC royal correspondent told the Mirror : “I definitely thought that being 44 was a bit of a nondescript birthday, not particularly worthy of a special celebration. But I’m sure that Harry will want to make a fuss of his wife on her special day.

Meghan has been focusing on her lifestyle brand(Image: JENNA PEFFLEY/NETFLIX)

“As far as I can see, he is still head over heels in love with Meghan and will probably organise a romantic dinner or perhaps a beach party with friends and lots of children to celebrate their happy family life in California. Maybe a sunrise yoga session would set the day up rather nicely!

“I don’t think Meghan should hold her breath for birthday messages from the Royal family, though it may well be that Princess Eugenie – and possibly Beatrice— will send a present or a card.”

Harry and Meghan with the royals before quitting their royal roles (Image: AFP via Getty Images)

Meanwhile, Meghan’s birthday comes as in recent weeks, she has fallen silent on her Instagram account, with sporadic posts. However, her lifestyle brand, As Ever, continues to post on the platform, with an announcement last week that she will be selling another batch of her rose wine.

And Jennie added: “I think Meghan deserves to be pretty happy with how this year has gone so far. Whatever she does or says gets slammed in the media, but she has built up a substantial social media following in very little time, the products that she endorses or sells seem to do exceptionally well, and her TV and podcast shows — although clearly not ground breaking – – are perfectly watchable, however much her critics like to pan them.”

When it comes to her Instagram account, Meghan previously told Emma Grede in a podcast interview: “I think if part of it is just being able to authentically share in real time the things that are happening that I think someone might be able to last with, or enjoy or be inspired by.”

She said she wanted to post in a way that was “not overproduced”. Addressing a twerking video, which showed her dancing to the Baby Mama song in a bid to bring on labour with Lili, which she posted back in June, Meghan described it as a reminder of a “real, authentic fun life”.

The duchess said it felt liberating to be back on social media where she can share things on her own terms. “That wasn’t yesterday. That was four years ago, so it’s also a really great reminder that with all the noise or whatever people do, there’s still whole life, a real, authentic, fun life that’s happening behind the scenes,” Meghan said. “I’m just grateful that now, being back on social as well, I have a place where I can share it on my own terms.”