Why Meghan Markle's birthday could be tinged with sadness for the Queen

The Duchess of Sussex shares her birthday with a dearly-missed royal and this date could potentially be a poignant one for the Queen...

Meghan Markle’s birthday could be tinged with sadness for the Queen, seen side by side at different events
(Image credit: Future: Image 1: Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images // Image 2: Photo by Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images)

Meghan Markle’s birthday could be tinged with sadness for the Queen as there's another royal associated with this particular date. 


The Duchess of Sussex turned 41 on August 4th and several senior members of The Firm have already wished Meghan Markle a wonderful birthday with heartfelt social media posts. But she’s not the only royal to have a strong association with this date and Meghan Markle’s birthday could be tinged with sadness for the Queen as a result. Back in1900 the Queen Mother was born on August 4th, in Hitchin. 

She’s said to have been especially close with Meghan’s father-in-law, Prince Charles, who now lives at what was once her London home, Clarence House. Last year Charles shared a rare childhood photo taken in the gardens there as he remembered his grandmother on her birthday. And it’s possible this day might also be bittersweet for the Queen due to its connection to her late mother.

The Queen has yet to publicly share a post in honor of Meghan Markle’s big day on the official Royal Family social media accounts, whilst Prince William and Kate wished Meghan a happy birthday with a sweet snap from her time in the UK for the Jubilee. However, the monarch could of course have reached out privately to her granddaughter-in-law and also be remembering the Queen Mother on this shared birthday. 

And whilst Meghan might be celebrating with Prince Harry and their children Archie and Lilibet at or near their new LA home, the Queen has supposedly extended an invitation for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to visit her in Scotland this summer. 

Queen Elizabeth II, Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother in 1990

(Image credit: Photo by John Shelley Collection/Avalon/Getty Images)

The Queen traditionally stays at Balmoral from August-October and the Queen’s grandchildren, great-grandchildren and children often spend time with her there. 

A Balmoral insider previously claimed to The Sun that, “Staff have been told to expect the full list of royals including Harry, Meghan and their children Archie and Lilibet. They are preparing for the Sussexes”.

Despite this, other reports have alleged that Harry and Meghan will not visit the Queen in Aberdeenshire this year. Either way, fans will no doubt be hoping for another royal reunion to take place over the coming months.

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex attend the National Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul's Cathedral

(Image credit: Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage via Getty)

The couple have yet to enjoy Christmas with the monarch since Harry and Meghan “stepped back” as senior royals, with some people perhaps hoping to see them spend the festive season in the UK in 2022. And although the Queen hasn’t spent Christmas at Sandringham since the pandemic, she traditionally hosts her nearest and dearest in Norfolk and who knows whether the royals could be brought together there again this December. 

Emma Shacklock
Senior Lifestyle Writer

Emma is a Senior Lifestyle Writer with six years of experience working in digital publishing, ranging from book publishing to magazines. She currently looks after all things Lifestyle for Woman&Home, Goodto.com, and My Imperfect Life.