Meghan Markle marked her 44th birthday with an Instagram post that quickly stirred online speculation—not only about her appearance but also about the whereabouts of her husband, Prince Harry, and their children.
On August 6, 2025—two days after her birthday on August 4—the Duchess of Sussex posted a photo and message reflecting on her special day.
“Blowing out the candles on a beautiful 24 hours, and thanking my husband, friends and family for making it so special,” she wrote. “To those of you I don’t know, but who send love every day — thank you so much. Please know I feel it and appreciate it ❤️.”
She also highlighted the exceptional dinner she enjoyed at Funke, a high-end Italian restaurant in Los Angeles, describing it as one of the best meals she’s ever had. “The culinary mastery of @evanfunke and his team is in the top five meals of my life. Extraordinary 🍝 Thank you for a standout dining experience,” she added.
The photo Meghan posted showed her seated at a restaurant table, leaning in to blow out two candles on a round cake topped with flowers. She wore a white Valentino mini dress adorned with floral appliqués and gem detailing around the neckline—a look she’d previously worn during the 2021 Global Citizen Live event in New York City.
Once the post was published, followers flooded the comment section with questions—mainly about Prince Harry and their two children, Archie and Lilibet. “Where’s your husband?” asked one commenter. Another questioned, “Still nothing from Harry! Are they separated?” One more sarcastically asked, “Family? Where? 😂”
Similar sentiments appeared across her other birthday-related posts. “Where was Harry? How long is she going to be 44???” someone wondered. “I don’t see Harry or the kids in this pic! 😢” commented another. One more added, “Where’s Harry? Where’s his tribute? It must be true that they have separated.”
Many users also speculated about changes to Meghan’s appearance, specifically suggesting cosmetic enhancements. One person wrote, “Showcasing her new nose and jawline for her birthday.” Another quipped, “Happy new nose. 😂” with a third stating plainly, “New nose.” Others chimed in with similar remarks: “Nice new nose 🐽 job 😂,” and “Did she had [sic] a nose job?” Another speculated, “Oh wow – she has a new nose. Is it the 4th or 5th or 🤔”
Speculation extended to X (formerly Twitter), where one user asked, “Did she get her nose done or something?” Another questioned, “Did Meghan get nose filler? She likes to show off when she gets her wonky nose filled and straightened.” Yet another asserted, “She’s had a nose job. That’s why she’s been radio silent.”
Although Meghan’s post didn’t feature her husband or children, her close friend Tracy Robbins offered a more personal glimpse into the celebration. In her birthday tribute on Instagram, Robbins posted a photo of herself and Meghan enjoying drinks together.
She wrote: “Happy birthday my dear @meghan Oh how I can laugh and dance with you like no other. You are sunshine in a bottle! Thank you for always making time to be such a loving and connected friend no matter what’s going on in your life. You dance through this life with so much grace, light and love! I hope your wee posse of 3 are smothering you with hugs and kisses today my dear! Happiest of birthdays M! [sic]”
Just before Meghan’s birthday post went viral, she and Prince Harry were photographed at Santa Claus Beach in Carpinteria, California, on August 1, watching their son Archie, 6, take surfing lessons.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex appeared relaxed as they watched their son enjoy the ocean. Meghan wore a rolled-sleeve white shirt, shorts, and a wide beige sunhat, while Harry kept a low profile in a gray shirt, black shorts, and a tan baseball cap. Their daughter Lilibet was not seen during the beach outing.
The beach trip received mixed reactions from the public. Some praised the couple for giving their son a fun and adventurous experience. “Out there, living their best lives. Oh, this makes me so happy for them😍😍👏👏,” one fan wrote. Another added, “Omg 6 already, he’s getting so big.” A third commented, “Let’s not focus on the parents. It’s good to see Archie not sheltered.” Another enthusiastically said, “Archie is gonna be so cool 🫶🏽 real cali boy ✨️💯 [sic].”
However, not everyone viewed the outing positively. Some criticized their parenting choices. “Your 6yo son are on sea having lessons with someone and you don’t watch them closely? Don’t you worry about it? [sic]” one person questioned. Another wrote, “6yo is still too young and they look really far away from the sea and not paying attention at all. [sic]”
Others accused the couple of seeking attention. “And they were kind enough to call the paparazzi to share it with the world,” one commenter said sarcastically. Another Reddit user added, “They aren’t even watching or looking for Archie in a shark-infested, riptide-filled, tsunami-threatened ocean.” Another agreed, writing, “Not paying one iota of attention to their 6-year-old on the beach. A recipe for disaster.”
In sum, Meghan’s birthday celebration—and the events surrounding it—sparked a flood of reactions, from admiration to sharp criticism, with fans and skeptics alike weighing in on everything from family dynamics to her physical appearance and parenting style.