Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, Turns 40 Today After An Eventful Year

Aug 04, 2021 by apost team

After the incredible last year she's had, Meghan Markle is about to top it all off by turning 40 today. She and Prince Harry have had an incredibly eventful 2021 so far, not to mention their major life change by moving to the US last year. 

This summer alone has been huge for the couple, with the birth of their daughter, Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor, on June 4 kicking things off. Named in honor of both her great-grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, and Harry's late mother Princess Diana, Lilibet's birth propelled the couple back into the press after a few months of laying low due to their bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey in March. 

Then mere days after giving birth to their daughter, the Duchess of Sussex released her very first children's book titled "The Bench." The story began as a poem that Markle wrote to Harry one Father's Day before it was turned into a book with gorgeous illustrations by Christian Robinson. Released on June 8, it didn't take long for "The Bench" to become a #1 New York Times bestseller, proving that Markle's talents lie in much more than just acting. Markle then gave an interview to NPR about "The Bench," which was her first one since her and Harry's interview with Winfrey.

After quietly celebrating each of her birthdays in her late 30s, Markle is expected to be throwing an intimate bash at her Montecito, California home for her 40th. Colin Cowie, a famed party planner who is Winfrey's go-to guy for events, is believed to be planning the party, while about 65 of Markle's nearest and dearest are expected to attend. 

With the kind of momentous last year Meghan Markle has had, it's no surprise the royal wants to ring in her new decade of life in style. After relocating to California months before Markle's August birthday last year and settling into their new home despite the ongoing pandemic, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex also set up their charitable foundation Archewell. They also announced a slew of upcoming multimillion-dollar deals they have in the works with Netflix, Spotify, and more, some of which are only now beginning to be revealed.

In the year since Markle celebrated her 39th birthday, the couple has disentangled further from the royal family and truly begun to live their newfound independent lives — and all amid the pandemic. In March of this year, they released their explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey, which bared all about their time as working royals and revealed the mistreatment Markle received. 

Then came Prince Harry's television series with Winfrey, "The Me You Can't See," which took an open approach to mental health. After the birth of Lilibet in June, Markle had her own media release with "The Bench." After hitting the #1 New York Times bestseller list, Markle personally thanked her fans via the couple's Archewell website. Since then, Harry has also announced a book that he'll be releasing next year, a memoir about his life and the lessons he's learned. It's no secret that the public wants new material from the couple and after planning for much of last year, their projects are finally being released into the world. 

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Most recently, it was announced that Markle will be executive producing a new animated series for Netflix, in collaboration with filmmaker David Furnish, Elton John's longtime partner. Titled "Pearl," the animated series will center around a 12-year-old girl's adventures. Markle announced the upcoming project via the Archewell Instagram, where she revealed a bit more about the plot:

"Like many girls her age, our heroine Pearl is on a journey of self-discovery as she tries to overcome life’s daily challenges."

The series' theme of empowerment and self-discovery is in line with most of what the Sussexes put their name behind — from charitable causes to their other media projects, the couple has truly made it their brand to open up important discussions in society and hopefully bring about more acceptance and kindness in the world. 

Mirror reported that in 2016, Markle had written on her now-deleted blog The Tig about a tradition she likes to keep for birthdays, which was inspired by her mother, Doria Ragland. She wrote:

"My mom has always said that birthdays are your own personal New Year. Your own chance to make resolutions just for yourself and what you prognosticate for your year ahead."

Considering this, Markle must have kept to her big resolutions from her last birthday, as she's achieved so much in the last year alone. Whatever she ends up deciding on for this coming year, we're sure her successes will continue. But first, she deserves to let her hair down and enjoy her 40th birthday bash with those she cares for the most. 

Happy 40th birthday Meghan Markle! Can you believe how much she's achieved since her last birthday? What do you think she has in store for the next year? Pass this on so others can celebrate her birthday too!