Meghan Markle's 2016 Birthday Blog May Have Quietly Hinted at Her Romance With Prince Harry
Meghan Markle is set to celebrate her 44th birthday on August 4 with Prince Harry and their two children in Montecito, California. Ahead of her big day, royal watchers unearthed a 2016 blog post from her now-defunct website, The Tig, where she subtly hinted at her blossoming romance with Harry. On her 35th birthday, Markle had blogged that she was feeling 'joyful,' 'grateful,' and ready for more 'adventure' with the Prince.
Markle and Harry had not gone public with their relationship at the time, and had met only a month prior at Soho House. In the post, she shared, "I am feeling so incredibly joyful right now, so grateful and content that all I could wish for is more of the same. More surprises, more adventure, more opportunities to grow, more days filled with giggles and cheeky jokes, more delicious meals, and more inspiration." According to PEOPLE, Markle feeling 'so incredibly joyful' was a hint at her thriving romance. Another clue was her use of the word 'cheeky,' a term more frequently used in the U.K. than the U.S. Her mention of 'delicious meals' also may have been a hint at her low-key date nights with Harry, where the couple enjoyed cooking together.
In the same post, Markle revealed how her mother, Doria Ragland, viewed the annual tradition of birthdays. 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." She continued, "And while I’ve always loved that sentiment, I have to say that when I close my eyes and think of what I wish for, I come up with a blank." She had shared a similar post on her 33rd birthday, opening up about her struggles with weight and being biracial in her 20s.
As for her romance with Harry, in their 2022 Netflix documentary, Harry & Meghan, the Duke and Duchess shared that they were set up by a mutual friend, followed by a blind date in July 2016. Before meeting each other, the two had been corresponding on Instagram. As reported by Cosmopolitan, one of their private chats featured in the series read, "Harry: 'So come on—what are you doing tomorrow night? Hope you’re having fun over there.' Meghan: 'Heading back to Soho. I have a dinner tomorrow at 8, but I can do drinks tomorrow night, would that work? Maybe 6?' Harry: 'You’re ON!'" and the rest was history.
After rejoining Instagram in January this year, Markle has marked her husband and children's birthdays by sharing intimate photos and videos of family moments. For her own, she’ll likely do the same, offering a glimpse into a low-key celebration with Harry, Prince Archie, and Princess Lilibet. As per Grazia magazine, for her last birthday, Harry reportedly organized an intimate at-home cookout, hosting friends and family for a relaxed summer barbecue.