Prince Harry reveals ‘best gift’ ahead of 40th birthday as Meghan Markle tells of safety fears

Prince Harry has told of what is most meaningful to him ahead of his 40th birthday, as Meghan Markle opened up about her fears when she was a working royal.

Prince Harry has said his children are the “best gift” he has ever received as he prepares to celebrate his milestone 40th birthday.

In an email to People magazine ahead of his birthday on September 15, the California-based royal told of his joy over being a parent to Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet with wife Meghan Markle.

Harry wrote in the email: “The best gift I’ve ever been given is, without a doubt, my kids. I enjoy watching them grow every single day, and I love being their dad.”

Prince Harry says his greatest gift is his family. Picture: AFP

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle with their children, who have been shielded from the public, in an image from their 2021 Christmas card. Picture: Alexi Lubomirski/Handout/The Duke and Duchess of Sussex

The exiled royal, who is estranged from his older brother Prince William after years of feuding, is set to mark his 40th birthday with his wife and Meghan, Archie and Lilibet in a low-key celebration at their mansion in the A-list haven of Montecito.

People magazine said this would be “followed by a gathering with close friends internationally” before the royal heads off on a solo trip to New York City to take part in meetings during the United Nations General Assembly High-Level Week as well as Climate Week.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on the recent tour of Colombia. Picture: AFP

Harry and Meghan are also planning another one of their controversial “quasi-royal tours”, with a return to Africa most likely, according to Hello!.

It came as Meghan revealed she “felt uncomfortable being out in the world” when she was a working member of the royal family and “craved safety”.

Meghan Markle speaking at an Oprah Winfrey book club event. Picture: Instagram

The Duchess of Sussex was the centre of attention at the event. Picture: Instagram

Meghan made her comments during a speech at Oprah Winfrey’s book club session at the Godmothers bookstore in Summerland, located near her Montecito mansion.

According to Town & Country, Meghan spoke about the solace she has found in book shops and told how she visited one during her trip to New York in 2019 for her lavish baby shower.

“For me, sneaking to New York five years ago was a really big deal,” Meghan told the audience.

“I was still so uncomfortable being out in the world. The safety of what I was craving, I knew I could find in a bookstore.”

The Duchess then went on to thank the founders of the Godmothers book shop, Rudolph Walsh and Victoria Jackson, “for holding the space for so many people to feel seen through the pages, either in laughter, in grief, in feeling less alone”.

The Duchess is then said to have “made a dash for the door”, telling guests: “I’ve got to make dinner for the kids.”

Originally published as Prince Harry reveals ‘best gift’ ahead of 40th birthday as Meghan Markle tells of safety fears