The Duchess of Sussex celebrated her 43rd birthday on August 4, with the Royal Family remaining silent.

Meghan celebrated her birthday on August 4 (Image: Getty)

In an apparent snub to Meghan Markle, the Firm remained silent as the Duchess of Sussex celebrated her 43rd birthday on August 4.

According to People magazine, the Duchess reportedly spent the day “privately” with her family at home, as she has done in previous years.

However, fans will see the silence from the Royal Family as evidence of the strained relationship between Meghan, Prince Harry and King Charles and Queen Camilla, following their departure as senior working royals in 2020.

Occasionally the Royal Family put out statements on social media to issue birthday greetings to members of the family. But the Firm kept quiet and did not issue any message to mark Meghan’s 42nd birthday last year either – her first since Charles became King.

When the Duchess of Sussex turned 41, two years after Harry and Meghan’s departure as senior working royals, William and Kate shared a message with their millions of followers on social media, wishing the US-born royal a ‘Happy Birthday’.

The Royal Family also kept quiet on Meghan’s birthday last year (Image: Getty)

On August 4, 2022, William and Kate sent a message to Meghan on X with the caption: “Wishing a happy birthday to the Duchess of Sussex!”

The then Prince of Wales, and Camilla also sent a message marking Meghan’s 41st, writing “Happy Birthday to The Duchess of Sussex!”.

But since their departure from the Firm, Harry and Meghan have commented on personal experiences within the Royal Family, giving an explosive interview with TV host, Oprah Winfrey and releasing a bombshell memoir, Spare – highlighting rifts with senior royals.

Since then, Meghan did not attend the King’s Coronation in May 2023 and Harry was seated away from senior members of the family.

Meghan and Harry both stepped down as senior working royals in 2020 (Image: Getty)

This year, the duchess chose her birthday to shine a light on cyberbullying in a new interview she and Prince Harry conducted with CBS Sunday Morning on August 4.

The chat with Jane Pauley aired in the US on the morning of Meghan’s birthday and the Sussexes opened up about their quest to protect children online.

Prince Harry also emphasised the pressing need for parental vigilance in the digital age with the host. Commenting on young children, he warned: “They could be in the next-door room on a tablet or phone and can be going down these rabbit holes and, before you know it, within 24 hours they could be taking their life.”

Meghan also talked about her own struggles with suicidal thoughts, during their time in England. “I just didn’t – I didn’t want to be alive anymore,” she said, holding Harry’s knee. The Sussexes also met with bereaved parents. This included a couple who lost a daughter to online bullying.

The pair have been living in California with their young family for the past four years, and tend to keep a low profile in the exclusive town where they reside.

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