Meghan Markle’s ‘quiet’ birthday could be turning point to heal royal rift

She celebrated her 40th birthday last week

meghan markle kate middleton prince harry

by Eden-Olivia Lord |
Updated on

She and husband Prince Harry have had a bitter rift with the royal family since their departure from the UK last year.

But last week there was an olive branch extended from the Palace when the Queen, Prince Charles, Camilla, Prince William and Kate Middleton sent well wishes to Meghan on her 40th birthday.

It’s the first sign of bridge building since Meghan and Harry – who share son Archie, two, and two-month-old daughter Lilibet – lashed out at the Royals earlier this year in an Oprah interview, with claims of racism and neglect of Meghan’s mental health issues.

And sources say that the posts from each of the royal households’ Instagram accounts were a welcome gesture for Meghan, who had a low-key birthday due to Covid.

meghan markle prince harry prince william kate middleton
prince william, kate middleton, meghan markle and prince harry in 2018 ©Getty Images

Check out: 9 times Meghan Markle dressed like Princess Diana

Gallery

All The Times Meghan Markle Dressed Like Princess Diana - slider

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All The Times Meghan Markle Dressed Like Princess Diana

The glittering Roland Mouret gown worn by Meghan at the premiere of Cirque du Soleil's Totem show was reminiscent of a Catherine Walker dress Princess Diana wore in 1990.

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All The Times Meghan Markle Dressed Like Princess Diana

Both Meghan and Diana chose a monochrome color palette for visits to Royal Ascot.

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All The Times Meghan Markle Dressed Like Princess Diana

It seems both royals are a fan of pairing red and purple. Princess Diana wore the combo a visit to Hong Kong in November 1989 while Meghan wore it on a visit to Birkenhead in January of 2019.

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All The Times Meghan Markle Dressed Like Princess Diana

In 1987 Princess Diana wore tartan at Bute Highland Games in Scotland and two decades later Meghan wore a Burberry tartan coat for an official visit to Scotland during her engagement.

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All The Times Meghan Markle Dressed Like Princess Diana

Meghan sheer pleated Givenchy skirt (which caused quite the controversy) and matching top may well have been inspired by Princess Diana's all-blue look from 1982.

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All The Times Meghan Markle Dressed Like Princess Diana

Both royal women are a fan of pinstripes, as seen by this pinstriped blazer worn by Diana in Sheffield and the buttoned Altuzarra dress Meghan wore at the Commonwealth Youth Forum.

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All The Times Meghan Markle Dressed Like Princess Diana

Even at the end of her royal duties, Meghan channelled Diana in her wardrobe. Just look at this green dress and matching hat worn by Meghan on Commonwealth Day compared to Diana's Trooping of the Colour dress and hat from 1982.

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All The Times Meghan Markle Dressed Like Princess Diana

At the 2017 Invictus Games in Toronto, one of the very first times we saw Meghan and Harry in public together, Meghan and her cali-girl vibes looked very similar to an outfit Princess Diana wore while in Bosnia.

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All The Times Meghan Markle Dressed Like Princess Diana

Not ones to shy away from colour, Princess Diana and Meghan also both know just how amazing a simple white dress can look.

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All The Times Meghan Markle Dressed Like Princess Diana

Both have sported tailored blush pink dresses. Princess Diana wore a Versace coat dress in 1995 while The Duchess of Sussex wore a modern take on the trend when visiting the Nelson Mandela Centenary Exhibition at Southbank Centre in London.

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All The Times Meghan Markle Dressed Like Princess Diana

Meghan's second wedding dress (a Stella McCartney design) was noticeably similar to a high-necked evening gown worn by Princess Diana at a reception at Spencer House in London.

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All The Times Meghan Markle Dressed Like Princess Diana

Meghan wore a stunning Safiyaa caped red gown o the Mountbatten Festival of Music at Royal Albert Hall that looked very similar to the red Jacques Azagury dress Diana wore to an American Red Cross dinner in 1997.

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All The Times Meghan Markle Dressed Like Princess Diana

The chic plaid suit that Diana wore while at Paddington Station in London in 1988 looks very similar to an off-the-shoulder structured shirt Meghan wore on a visit to Wales.

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All The Times Meghan Markle Dressed Like Princess Diana

The off-the-shoulder pink Carolina Herrera dress Meghan wore to Trooping the Colour was rather similar to Princess Diana's look worn at the Royal Ballet in Germany in 1987.

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All The Times Meghan Markle Dressed Like Princess Diana

At Commonwealth Day in March 2019 Meghan wore an emerald green Erden coat not dissimilar to the one worn by Princess Diana in 1982.

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A source says, “Meghan and Harry’s life is totally different from what it was in the UK, where they were surrounded by his family. Their life in the LA is quiet and they seemed happy to cut themselves off over the years they’ve been together.

“Meghan has spent previous birthdays surrounded by loved ones and family members, most of whom she now no longer speaks to.

“So this big milestone birthday – together with the well wishes from the Royals – was cause for a lot of reflecting. It’s made her realise that life is too short to hold grudges. It could be a turning point to start reconciling.”

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