KEY POINTS

  • Meghan Markle turned 39 on Tuesday
  • She had an intimate birthday celebration with husband Prince Harry, son Archie and her mom in Los Angeles
  • Other members of the royal family, including Kate Middleton and Prince William, greeted Markle on her birthday

Meghan Markle turned 39 on Tuesday and decided to spend her birthday this year with just her closest loved ones.

The Duchess of Sussex spent her birthday in her and Prince Harry’s Los Angeles residence, a source told Us Weekly. Markle’s mom, Doria Ragland, and son, 14-month-old Archie, joined in on the fun. The Duke of Sussex also made sure to give his wife a sweet surprise.

“They spent the day as a family and in the evening Doria looked after Archie so that Meghan and Harry could enjoy some couple time. Harry cooked Meghan a three-course dinner, but Doria helped him with the preparation,” the insider said.

The source added that Prince Harry had become a better cook since marrying the former “Suits” star, but he still has a “long way to go.”

As for the birthday cake, the Duke of Sussex chose a big chocolate cake that was covered in icing sugar and balloons. This wasn’t Prince Harry’s only surprise for Markle, however, as he also gave her two special gifts for her 39th birthday.

“He wanted the gift to be personal, so he surprised Meghan with a necklace that he designed,” the insider said. “And a framed photograph of the two of them, which he took himself.”

But while Markle opted for a quiet and intimate celebration this time around, the insider said that the duchess apparently plans to have a big party when she turns 40 next year.

To mark the occasion, the Sussexes’ royal relatives on the other side of the pond sent their greetings via social media.

“Wishing The Duchess of Sussex a very happy birthday!” the Royal Family’s official Instagram account posted, along with a photo of Markle and Queen Elizabeth during a visit to Chester in 2018.

Kate Middleton and Prince William also wished Markle a happy birthday, sharing a photo of her talking to a girl on their Instagram and Twitter accounts. However, some royal fans didn’t take the gesture well, with several even dubbing the move as “hypocritical.”

“A bit hypocritical given you can't stand the woman!” a user said.

“I love you guys, but are you kidding me? Why couldn’t you have been nice to her when she was right on your doorstep? You will be sorry for these missteps in the future. Family first,” another one said.

These sentiments may have stemmed from the alleged feud among the Fab Four. Apart from the supposed Middleton-Markle rift, Prince Harry and Prince William also had a falling-out, which the new biography on the Sussexes, “Finding Freedom,” detailed.

Royal correspondents Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand wrote in the book that the Duke of Cambridge instructed his younger sibling to “take as much time as you need to get to know this girl.” Prince Harry didn’t take his brother’s advice well, the book says.

Meghan Markle
Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex is pictured visiting the Royal Variety Charity’s on Dec. 18, 2018, in Twickenham, England. Chris Jackson/Getty Images