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Meghan, who turns 40 today, is sure to receive congratulatory messages from members of the Royal Family today, according to royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams. The commentator told Express.co.uk: “I am sure members of the Royal Family will send Meghan birthday wishes.”
But Fitzwilliams went on to point out that relations between the Sussexes and the Firm have taken a severe hit.
He said: ‘Regarding her relationships with her and Harry, however, the past year is not one that they will look back on’ with sheer pleasure ‘, paraphrasing a famous quote from the Queen’s’ annus horribilis’.
“The Oprah interview has been extremely damaging to the Royal Family.
“They should expect relations to improve in the coming months, but the unpredictability and handling of the Sussex media will continue to be of considerable concern.”
Meghan Markle turns 40 today (Image: GETTY)
Meghan Markle last saw members of the firm in person in March 2020 (Image: GETTY)
In his remarks, Fitzwilliams referred to the Queen’s landmark speech in 1992, a year that he referred to extraordinarily as “horribilis” in a speech at Guildhall to mark the 40th anniversary of her accession.
She said: “1992 is not a year in which I will look back with pure pleasure.”
Speculation about a possible rift between the Sussexes and the Cambridges began in late 2018, when Meghan and Harry announced their intention to move out of Nottingham Cottage and move to Frogmore Cottage.
During 2019, reports of tensions between Harry and William continued to emerge and, in October of that year, the Duke of Sussex admitted that he and his brother were on “different paths.”
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Meghan Markle and the Queen during their joint engagement in Summer 2018 (Image: GETTY)
But Prince Harry and Meghan lifted the lid on their relationship with royalty and the institution of the monarchy several months later, during their interview with Oprah Winfrey.
Speaking to the American journalist, the Duke of Sussex repeated that he and his brother are on “different paths” and that their relationship at that time was one of “space.”
He also said he felt “disappointed” by his father, Prince Charles.
When asked why they had made the extraordinary decision to resign as royalty a year earlier, Prince Harry said it was due to “lack of support and lack of understanding.”
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Meghan Markle joined the Royal Family in May 2018 (Image: GETTY)
Meghan Markle gave birth to her daughter Lili today two months ago (Image: GETTY)
During their revealing two-hour talk, Prince Harry and Meghan also launched damaging accusations of neglect and racism against the Royal Family.
However, the couple went out of their way to make it clear that their relationship with the Queen remained good despite their royal departure and tensions with other members.
In another interview, this time published in February with James Corden, Prince Harry said that he had been in regular contact with His Majesty and had even sent Archie a waffle maker that he wanted as a Christmas present.
Meghan, who gave birth to Lilibet ‘Lili’ Diana in early June, has not returned to the UK since March 2020, when she completed her last engagements as royalty.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have two children (Image: EXPRESS)
Prince Harry, on the other hand, met his relatives face-to-face on two occasions: at Prince Philip’s funeral in April and at the unveiling of the Princess Diana statue in July.
The latest trip to the UK, in particular, raised hopes among royal observers: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Sussex might be open to a reconciliation, as the siblings seemed in high spirits as they commemorated their late mother’s 60th birthday.
Prince Harry and Meghan, who became residents of the star-studded Montecito neighborhood of Santa Barbara last summer, have been quiet about their plans for the Duchess’s birthday milestone.
Earlier this week, it was stated that Meghan wanted a small gathering with roughly 65 guests.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry moved to California in late March 2020 (Image: GETTY)
The celebrations, one source claimed, would be hosted by Colin Cowie, a famous party planner for the A-listers.
However, other sources told Page Six that there is no meeting planned in Montecito.
The duchess wishes to celebrate her birthday in a “discreet” manner, the publication reported.
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