Meghan Markle opts for ‘toned-down’ 42nd birthday celebration with Prince Harry

Meghan Markle’s birthday plans have been revealed as the Duchess celebrates her 42nd birthday after a tough few months.

Meghan Markle has swapped a glitzy bash for a “toned down” birthday celebration as she turns 42.

The Duchess of Sussex is set to mark the milestone at home in California on Friday local time with her husband Prince Harry, 38, and their children Prince Archie, 4, and Princess Lilibet, 2.

PR expert Maya Ria claims the Duchess was likely to opt for a “private affair” with just family and close friends this year and stop the “soap opera” around them.

“[The celebrations] will possibly be quite toned down this year and likely to be a private affair,” Ms Ria told the Daily Record.

The couple is expected to have a private celebration for Meghan’s birthday. Picture: AFP

Meghan’s mum, Doria Ragland, is likely to join the pair’s celebrations as she doesn’t live far from the Sussex’s Californian home, according to the Express.

Last year, the Duchess of Sussex spent her 41st birthday with family and friends. while in 2019 she spent her first birthday as a mum with Prince Harry in private at their Windsor home, Frogmore Cottage.

Writing on her blog, The Tig, back in 2016 Meghan revealed an annual birthday tradition that her mother inspired.

“My mum has always said that birthdays are your own personal New Year. Your own chance to make resolutions just for yourself and what you prognosticate for your year ahead,” the Duchess wrote.

“More surprises, more adventure, more opportunities to grow, more days filled with giggles and cheeky jokes, more delicious meals, and more inspiration. Always more inspiration.”

Earlier this week, the Sussexes filmed a video to support the Responsible Technology Youth Power Fund, which saw them call up young tech entrepreneurs.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle appeare din a video together this week. Picture: Responsible Technology Youth Power Fund/Vimeo

The Sun’s body language expert Judi James revealed they projected themselves as “all smiles” to distance themselves from the latest claims that they are spending time apart.

“If there are deliberate signals from Harry and Meghan in this clip in response to rumours of time apart or diverse career choices they are more ‘tossed salad’ than coherent and comprehensive,” she said.

“Their poses and status-swapping behaviours create the sense of them still pulling as a double act, working together as a team rather than apart on solo gigs.

“Their smiling is emphatic, as though happiness is on their projected tick-list. Just glancing at stills from the clips and the wreathed smiles on display here would announce they are happy and upbeat.

They projected themselves as “all smiles”. Picture: Responsible Technology Youth Power Fund/Vimeo

“They seem keen to focus attention on their cause rather than on any soap-opera potential here and their lack of cute tie-signs.“

“And even Meghan’s choice of neutrals could be an attempt to avoid upstaging the young people they are calling.”

The couple will make their first public appearance since May when they head to the Invictus Games, founded by Prince Harry in Dusseldorf, Germany, this September.

The Duchess will undertake a special role at the games presenting a farewell show for families and competitors at the end of the two weeks.