Meghan Markle gives ‘first glimpse’ of Lilibet as Duchess of Sussex celebrates 40th birthday

Royal fans are in a spin over a video shared by Meghan Markle on her 40th birthday, which could feature the first public image of her newborn daughter, Lilibet Diana.

Royal fans are in a spin over a video shared by Meghan Markle on her 40th birthday, which may include the first public image of her and Prince Harry’s newborn daughter, Lilibet Diana.

The Duchess of Sussex shared a comedy video – co-starring Oscar-nominated actor Melissa McCarthy – to mark her milestone birthday.

The footage, which is the first time Meghan has appeared publicly since the birth of her second child, features the former Suits actor sitting at her desk chatting to McCarthy via a video call.

On the royal’s desk are four framed photos – include at least one of son Archie Harrison – and leading fans to speculate over whether Lilibet is among them.

Meghan Markle as she appeared in a video to mark her 40th birthday. The Duchess of Sussex has not been seen publicly since she gave birth to Lilibet. Picture: Archewell

A scene from Meghan Markle's birthday video which shows framed photos on her desk. Is one of them a photo Lilibet Diana? Picture: Archewell

In the lighthearted clip, the Duchess of Sussex joked with McCarthy about tattoos, the Friends reunion, and Meghan’s former TV drama Suits.

“I love Suits but why would I do a Suits reunion for my birthday?,” Meghan said.

The birthday skit was released via Harry and Meghan’s non-profit, Archewell.

Sporting a regal pair of gloves and hat, McCarthy joked: “This (outfit) will probably seem better for you”.

The video, believed to have been filmed in Meghan’s California mansion, also includes a cameo by Prince Harry, who was briefly seen juggling in the backyard.

The clip launched Meghan’s “40x40” charity initiative which sees the duchess ask A-listers, athletes and artists to donate their time to a good cause.

Prince Harry made a cameo in the video.

The duchess wants people around the world to “help women re-entering the workforce”.

In a post on her Archewell website, Meghan wrote: “In reflecting on my 40th birthday and the many things I am grateful for, I’m struck that time is among our most essential gifts”.

“Time with our loved ones, time doing the things we love, time spent learning, laughing, growing, and the sacred time we have on this earth,” she said.

“Among the most valuable gifts of time is also time spent in service to others knowing that it can contribute to incredible change.

“To that last point, and with my 40th lap around the sun in mind, it made me wonder: what would happen if we all committed 40 minutes to helping someone else or to mentoring someone in need?

“And then what would happen if we asked our friends to do the same?”

Hollywood star Melissa McCarthy dressed for the occasion.

The clip is believed to have been filmed at Meghan and Harry’s Santa Barbara mansion.

Meghan added: “Over two million women in the US and tens of millions around the world have lost their jobs due to Covid.

“I think if we all do it and see all commit to some sort of act of service, we can have some type of ripple effect.”

Among those who have committed 40 minutes of their time to mentor a woman in their community are singer Adele, poet Amanda Gorman, Sophie Gregoire Trudeau, the wife of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and fashion designer Stella McCartney.

“I believe mentorship is one way to help women regain confidence and rebuild their economic strength,” Meghan said in the clip.

“With this time, I hope they each help someone advance a professional life on her own terms and I hope that they inspire countless others to give 40 minutes of their time as well.”

Wishing a happy 40th birthday to The Duchess of Sussex! 🎂 pic.twitter.com/qekFyLPmiD

— The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@KensingtonRoyal) August 4, 2021

The former Suits actor has not shared any close-up photos of her newborn daughter, Lilibet. Picture: Getty Images

ROYAL WISHES

William and Kate joined a string of other royals including the Queen in wishing Meghan a happy birthday.

In a possible sign that the royals are extending an olive brand to the Sussexes, Prince William and wife Catherine shared a photo of Meghan – taken on Bondi Beach during her and Prince Harry’s royal tour of Australia in 2018 – to mark her milestone birthday.

The caption included a birthday cake emoji as Wills and Kate posted: “Wishing a happy 40th birthday to the Duchess of Sussex!”

In the photograph, a glowing Meghan, who was pregnant with first child Archie, cut an elegant figure in a striped maxi dress by Paris-based Australian designer Martin Grant.

The photograph captured one of the most memorable moments of the Sussexes’ Australian tour, which saw them take part in a “Fluoro Friday” yoga session.

In images beamed around the world, the royal pair sat in the sand at Bondi and chatted with members of OneWave — a surf community group raising awareness for mental health and wellbeing.

🎈 Wishing The Duchess of Sussex a very Happy Birthday today! pic.twitter.com/xvrRH4sEwX

— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) August 4, 2021

The touching birthday tribute from the Cambridges has been interpreted by royal fans as a sign that Prince William wants to repair his fractured relationship with his younger brother.

The image from the Australian tour is significant, as Prince Harry has referred to the 2018 visit as the moment that transformed his relationship with the royals for the worst.

“It really changed after the Australia tour,” he told Oprah Winfrey in his explosive interview with the chat show guru.

“It was also the first time that the family got to see how incredible [Meghan] is at the job.

“That brought back memories.”

Wishing The Duchess of Sussex a very happy 40th birthday. 🎈 pic.twitter.com/dCncyhMLrQ

— The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall (@ClarenceHouse) August 4, 2021

Prince Harry was referring to the famous 1983 royal visit to Australia when Princess Diana dazzled crowds and overshadowed her then husband Prince Charles.

The Queen’s tribute to Meghan, posted on the Royal Family Instagram and Twitter accounts, shared three photos of Meghan along with the message: “Wishing the Duchess of Sussex a very happy birthday today!”

Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, posted a sweet image of a smiling Meghan along with the caption: “Wishing the Duchess of Sussex a very happy 40th birthday!”.

Royal experts have speculated that the Sussexes may choose to release a family photo with baby daughter Lilibet to mark the proud mum’s 40th birthday in what would be the first glimpse of the eighth-in-line to the throne.

The Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry welcomed their daughter into the world on June 4 but the newborn baby is yet to be seen publicly.

While working members of the Royal Family, Meghan and Harry posed with their son Archie a few days after he was born, gushing over their son’s arrival.

But royal fans are still waiting to catch a glimpse of little Lilibet, more than eight weeks since her birth on June 4.

Meghan Markle has celebrated her 40th birthday by sharing a comedic video. Picture: AFP

Now royal experts have claimed Meghan’s 40th birthday on August 4 could provide the perfect opportunity for the proud parents to share an updated family photo.

Royal commentator Phil Dampier told The Sun: “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.”

But other royal experts have warned sharing a photo of their daughter could be in “bad taste”.

Richard Fitzwilliams, another royal expert, told The Sun: “The Sussexes are very unpredictable, but I think she will mark her 40th with something like a photo of Lili.”

Meghan is celebrating her 40th on Wednesday — the same day as the late Queen Mother.

Is Harry planning a party for Meghan? Picture: AFP

MEGHAN’S BIRTHDAY PLANS

According to The Sun, how the duchess will welcome her 40s is being kept under wraps, but Covid restrictions permitting, royal watchers believe she will keep celebrations local in Montecito, California.

Ingrid Seward, editor-in-chief of Majesty Magazine, believed that there will definitely be a birthday party of some kind.

The royal expert said: “But it will perhaps be at home rather than in a restaurant – as they have wonderful grounds in which to give a party, and as they are intent on their privacy it would be inviting trouble to have it in a public venue”.

She added that Oprah Winfrey and Gayle King are likely to be two of the famous guests in attendance, should such a gathering take place.

A discussion between Us Weekly correspondent Joe Drake and royal commentator Molly Mulshine, on the Royally Us podcast, also floated the possibility of a big bash.

Prince Harry. Picture: AFP

The Daily Express reported that Drake said: “I don’t know what the protocol is for the royals but in America for someone like Meghan Markle turning 40 is a big deal.

“You have a big bash and now that they live here I can see them having a big, fancy Montecito ball for her 40th.”

He added: “I feel like Meghan Markle seems like the type who would want a big celebration for her 40th.”

The Duchess may also take some time to look back over the past year – something she always does on an annual basis.

Back in 2016, on her now-deleted lifestyle website The Tig, she wrote: “My mom 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.”

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s house in Montecito, California. Picture: AFP

At the time, she wished for: “More surprises, more adventure, more opportunities to grow, more days filled with giggles and cheeky jokes, more delicious meals, and more inspiration.”

It wouldn’t be a birthday, let alone a fortieth, without a big cake.

In the past, before she became a royal, Meghan shared pictures on Instagram of herself enjoying celebratory cakes and blowing out candles.

Phil Dampier, author of Royally Suited: Harry and Meghan In Their Own Words, said: “It’s a special occasion and a milestone birthday but I can’t help feeling it’s tinged with sadness.

“Although I’m sure the royals will wish her well on social media and say happy birthday, we all know that relations are bad between them all and a huge family rift has opened up.

“Meghan is also estranged from her father and half siblings, so birthdays and other anniversaries tend to highlight these situations.”

ROYALS’ BECKHAM LINK

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle hired a former Disney+ executive to oversee their multimillion-dollar shows on Netflix.

According to The Sun, Chanel Pysnik, who previously worked at a project with David Beckham, has joined Archewell Productions as Head of Unscripted.

She will oversee nonfiction series and documentary film productions – and will report to Ben Browning, Archewell’s Head of Content.

Pysnik started working for the creative arm of charity Archewell – which was founded by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex last year – in May, according to Deadline.

The couple sensationally quit as senior royals in January last year and fled to California insisting they wanted to be “financially independent”.

Archewell has hired the top executive for David Beckham (pictured with the Queen) for Harry and Meghan’s Netflix project. Picture: AFP

— With The Sun.