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Meghan Markle is celebrating her 43rd birthday today, August 4 and Express.co.uk takes a look at some of her best moments over the years.

Meghan Markle is celebrating her 43rd birthday today, with the former working royal likely marking the day with Prince Harry and their two children in California.

Born on August 4, 1981, Meghan was the youngest of three – having two elder half-siblings, Thomas Markle Jr and Samantha Markle.

She is the only child of Doria Ragland, while Thomas Markle Sr is father to her half-siblings.

Her parents split up when she was just six years old and, although now estranged from her father, Meghan has remained close to her mother.

In light of the Duchess of Sussex’s big day, Express.co.uk looks at 11 incredible pictures of her – from an acting star to an adoring mother of two.

When Meghan was just 11 years old, she wrote to Procter & Gamble, asking them to change a dishwashing soap advert that was targeted exclusively at women. The aspiring actress asked them to change their advert from “women” to “people”. She attended Immaculate Heart from the ages of 12 to 17, a time where she felt like an “ugly duckling” and a “smart one” – rather than “conventionally beautiful”.

(Image: GETTY)

The 43-year-old then went on to study theatre and international relations at Northwestern University School of Communication, Illinois. Prior to her first big acting role in US drama Suits, Meghan had minor roles in a few TV shows and independent films. She also worked briefly as a briefcase girl on Deal or No Deal. Meghan started as Rachel Zane on Suits between 2011 and 2017. The former working royal also ran a lifestyle blog, The Tig, between 2014 and 2017.

(Image: GETTY)

Prior to her marriage to Prince Harry, whom she met in 2016, Meghan was married to film producer and actor Trevor Engelson for two years. Meghan and Harry met via a mutual friend, having their first date whilst the Duchess was visiting London. For their third date, the couple headed to Botswana and camped under the stars. The couple made their first public appearance at the Invictus Games in Canada in September 2017.

(Image: GETTY)

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Meghan and Harry became engaged in November 2017, with Meghan later revealing that the Duke proposed over a roast chicken dinner. Speaking in their official engagement interview, Harry detailed their relationship as “perfect”, while the former actress referred to their courtship as “authentic and organic”. Discussing the moment Harry proposed, Meghan said: “[It was an] amazing surprise, it was so sweet and natural and very romantic. He got on one knee.”

(Image: GETTY)

Meghan revealed in their engagement interview that she knew very little – if anything – about Harry prior to meeting him. She said: “It was really refreshing because given that I didn’t know a lot about him. Everything that I’ve learned about him, I learned through him…” Upon being asked about her career, the interviewer asked if she was “giving up” her career, to which she said: “I don’t see it as giving anything up, I just see it as a change.”

(Image: GETTY)

Meghan Markle is celebrating her 43rd birthday today, with the former working royal likely marking the day with Prince Harry and their two children in California.

Born on August 4, 1981, Meghan was the youngest of three – having two elder half-siblings, Thomas Markle Jr and Samantha Markle.

She is the only child of Doria Ragland, while Thomas Markle Sr is father to her half-siblings.

Her parents split up when she was just six years old and, although now estranged from her father, Meghan has remained close to her mother.

In light of the Duchess of Sussex’s big day, Express.co.uk looks at 11 incredible pictures of her – from an acting star to an adoring mother of two.

A year later, in May 2018, the couple tied the knot in Windsor. Speaking on behalf of Betfair Live Casino, body language expert Darren Stanton said that while Harry displayed “nervous” anticipation, it was Meghan’s “calm and confident” presence that brought him comfort. He said: “Harry was feeling nervous on his wedding day… But when Meghan arrived, he was more relaxed and could be more at ease with himself.” The couple celebrated their sixth wedding anniversary earlier this year.

(Image: GETTY)

Almost exactly one year to the day after their wedding, Meghan gave birth to their first child – a son named Prince Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor – on May 6, 2019. Speaking two days after her son’s birth, Meghan told onlookers and reporters: “It’s magic. It’s pretty amazing… I have the two best guys in the world, so I’m really happy.” On June 4, 2021, Meghan and Harry welcomed their daughter – Princess Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor – into the world.

(Image: GETTY)

Meghan and Harry announced their decision to step down as senior working royals on January 8, 2020. In their statement, Meghan and Harry wrote: “We intend to step back as ‘senior’ members of the Royal Family and work to become financially independent, while continuing to fully support Her Majesty The Queen”. They also said they plan to balance their time between the UK and North America while “continuing to honour our duty to the Queen, the Commonwealth, and our patronages”. The couple soon moved, along with their son, to the US.

Meghan Markle is celebrating her 43rd birthday today, with the former working royal likely marking the day with Prince Harry and their two children in California.

Born on August 4, 1981, Meghan was the youngest of three – having two elder half-siblings, Thomas Markle Jr and Samantha Markle.

She is the only child of Doria Ragland, while Thomas Markle Sr is father to her half-siblings.

Her parents split up when she was just six years old and, although now estranged from her father, Meghan has remained close to her mother.

In light of the Duchess of Sussex’s big day, Express.co.uk looks at 11 incredible pictures of her – from an acting star to an adoring mother of two.

In March 2021, Meghan Markle sat down for a bombshell televised interview with Oprah Winfrey. This was a much-publicized American interview with her husband, Harry. The mother of two has also published The Bench – which is a picture book for children –  and has since presented a podcast Archetypes. Meghan and Harry starred in Harry & Meghan, a Netflix docuseries, which was released in December 2022.

(Image: GETTY)

Meghan has inked a partnership with Lemonada Media after Spotify’s exclusive podcast deal ended in 2023. No new material will be released in the near future, with the Mail Online’s diary editor, Richard Eden stating that a release will come next year “at the earliest”. Meghan is set to release a new show via Netflix – which, at the moment, has no release date. Filming for the show, which will be “celebrating the joys of cooking, gardening, entertaining, and friendship”, has reportedly come to an end.

(Image: GETTY)

Meghan also soft-launched her new lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard, earlier this year. Earlier this year, Meghan sent out exclusive pots of homemade jam from her brand to her nearest and dearest. She intends to sell a vast array of household products with her American Riviera Orchard company. The endless list of products includes skin care, make-up, gardening equipment, scented candles and even dog food.

(Image: GETTY)

The Duchess of Edinburgh has become the latest member of the Royal Family to represent the Firm at the Olympic Games in Paris.

Duchess Sophie is currently in Paris (Image: X/@royalfamily)

The Duchess of Edinburgh has sparked a major fan frenzy as she takes over the reins from Princess Anne at the 2024 Olympic Games.

The royal has been spotted joining spectators in Paris, where she attended the Men’s Hockey Quarter-Final on Sunday, August 4.

Sophie, 59, also visited the Women’s team at the Team GB performance hub, ahead of their Quarter-Final against the Netherlands this afternoon.

Taking to X, the official Royal Family account shared some pictures from Sophie’s visit to Paris so far. Along with the photos, a message of support read: “Wishing you the very best of luck!”

Many fans were delighted to see Sophie supporting Team GB, with one commenting: “The Duchess of Edinburgh is one of the most amazing members of the Royal Family, she has worked behind the scenes for so many years with very little acknowledgement and now it is her time to shine, as a Duchess (with the title her and Edward deserve).”

Another fan commented: “Amazing to see The Duchess of Edinburgh supporting Hockey GB! Good luck for the girls today.”

Sophie’s look for the event has also sparked opinions from fans, with one fan voicing that it is a “nice look” for the royal.

Attending the Men’s Final on August 4, Sophie kept cool in the Parisian sun by wearing the white ‘Marley’ belted linen muslin midi dress by Gabriela Hearst.

The mother of two paired the summer look with white ‘Valencia’ Toms and C Décor sunglasses by Cartier.

Duchess Sophie has taken over the royal reigns from Anne in Paris (Image: X/@royalfamily)

Discussing Sophie’s latest look in the comments of @royalfashionpolice’s new Instagram post, one fan wrote: “Love that cool white linen dress.”

Another wrote: “This is a very nice look for Sophie. Love the white with the natural belt which reflects the espadrilles which are very cute – chic and comfortable. She’s fully committed to extra long dresses.”

A third commented: “Beautiful [heart-eyed emoji] for the Duchess of Edinburgh Sophie.”

A new biography on Princess Kate revels the original reason why tensions between the royals first began.

The last known time the two couples saw each other was after the death of Queen Elizabeth (Image: Getty Images)

In a new biography for Princess Kate, royal author Rob Jobson claims Meghan Markle believed Prince Harry “deserved more materially”.

The author claims that Meghan came to this conclusion after she visited the Prince and Princess of Wales’s apartment on the grounds of Kensington Palace for the first time.

Prince Harry, at the time, was living in Nottingham Cottage, one of the smallest properties on the estate.

Prince William and Kate, were living in a spacious 20-room apartment while Harry’s Nottingham Cottage had only two bedrooms.

In Rob Jobson’s new biography on Princess Kate, he said: “It is understood that when Meghan and Harry had gone round to have drinks at William and Catherine’s apartment, while they were still living at Nottingham Cottage opposite, Meghan had been ‘taken aback’ at the disparity between the brothers.

The funeral of Queen Elizabeth II took place on 19 September 2022 (Image: Getty Images)

“I am not saying Meghan was jealous, but she was really surprised how lavishly Harry’s brother was living compared to where they were living,” said a close source.

“It was perhaps the beginning of all the tensions between the two couples.”

Also in the biography, Jobson claims that Prince William had told Meghan Markle that she was not allowed to wear any of Princess Diana’s jewellery to her 2018 wedding, even though Kate had been allowed to do so at her own wedding.

Meghan was allegedly ‘piqued’ at the disparity between the two brothers. In Harry’s 2023 memoir, Spare, the prince reflects on being ‘embarrassed’ to have brought Meghan back to Nottingham Cottage. He wrote: “I was excited to welcome Meg to my home, but also embarrassed. Nott Cott was no palace.”

The couple later moved to Frogmore Cottage which reportedly cost over £2 million to renovate for them, but it now remains empty.

It is not known when the two couples last saw each other.

Eric Trump made a scathing comment about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle as he praised the Royal Family as a “sacred institution”.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were slammed by Donald Trump’s son, Eric, who branded the couple “spoilt apples” in a scathing two-word remark.

The businessman, 40, spoke to GB News about how the British monarchy is admired in the United States, however, he stressed, there would always be “spoilt apples in every orchard” – referring to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex who, he claimed, are not wanted across the pond.

He told Ben Leo: “What I can tell you is, my father had so much respect for the [late] Queen, as did I.

“My mum knew so many of them for years and had a great relationship with Diana.

“It’s a sacred institution. You can happily have those two [Meghan and Harry], we might not want them anymore, it feels like they’re on an island of their own.”

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were described as the Firm’s ‘spoilt apples’ (Image: Getty)

He added: “You can always have bad actors in everything. You can have spoiled apples in every orchard.

“The institution of the Royal Family is beautiful and is admired by many Americans. That should be protected.”

Earlier this year, the former US president hinted that he could deport Prince Harry should he return to the White House in November if

He told Nigel Farage – who questioned him on the “special privileges” Harry could enjoy due to his status as a royal – on GB News: “We’ll have to see if they know something about the drugs, and if he lied they’ll have to take appropriate action.”

Farage followed up by asking if “appropriate action” could mean “not staying in America”, to which Trump said: “Oh I don’t know. You’ll have to tell me. You just have to tell me. You would have thought they would have known this a long time ago.”

Eric Trump said the Royal Family is admired in the States (Image: Getty)

The Duke of Sussex has been living in the US with his family since 2020 after he stepped down as a senior working royal.

But he found himself in hot water after he revealed in his book, Spare, that he’d taken recreational drugs like cocaine, marijuana and magic mushrooms, which under US law, is grounds to reject a visa application.

Later, questions were raised about whether he had declared that on his visa application when he relocated to the US.

Meanwhile, a conservative think tank, The Heritage Foundation, has requested the royal’s visa documents to be made public and submitted freedom of information requests to the US Department of Homeland Security to release them.

Prince William and wife Kate, have a very different approach to parenting their three children which is a departure from the Royal way of bringing up children

Prince William and wife Kate’s approach to parenting could have a lasting and beneficial impact on their children’s future (Image: Getty Images)

Prince William and Kate, Princess of Wales have adopted “a very different way of bringing up” their children, according to a Royal expert, marking a significant departure from traditional Royal upbringing.

Jennie Bond, the former BBC Royal correspondent, revealed to OK! that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s modern parenting style makes them “far more relatable, and far more ‘normal’” compared to other members of the Royal family.

She expressed: “It’s all very well to repeat the royal mantra that ‘duty’ is paramount. But if you ask any ‘ordinary’ folk about their priorities. I have absolutely no doubt that almost 100% would say family. Family is what counts beyond anything.”

Jennie also observed that Kate has been influenced by her own parents, Michael and Carole Middleton, in her softer approach to raising Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, nine, and Prince Louis, six, ensuring they are “wrapped in a bubble of love”, reports the Mirror.

William and Kate have chosen a modern and relatable approach to parenting their children (Image: Samir Hussein/WireImage)

She continued: “The late Queen had huge responsibilities when she was a young mother becoming monarch, as she did, when she was just 25. Charles and Diana were preoccupied to an extent by the mess their marriage had become, and like most children from a broken family, William and Harry felt the repercussions.”

“Perhaps feeling out of his depth as single dad, Charles retreated too often into his study to deal with his workload when he might have been better off kicking a football around with his boys.”

Jennie further explained that Kate’s parenting style was influenced by her own upbringing, stating she was “replicating” her “own happy, stable childhood”. This included a softer approach of “never shouting, always listening to their complaints and tantrums, and allowing them to freely express their feelings and anger.”

Moreover, Jennie highlighted the stark contrast between this and the traditional Royal approach. She suggested that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s method allowed their children to be “enveloped in a bubble of love”, which could have “significant” future benefits.

William doesn’t want to replicate his father’s parenting style (Image: Samir Hussein/WireImage)

It provides a more balanced perspective on life and fosters a “long and loving relationship with their parents.”

The parenting approach of the Cambridges is markedly different from that of the late Queen Elizabeth and her son, King Charles, who prioritised his work over his young children.

Despite this, Prince William holds no grudges against his parents for their choices. He respects his father’s commitment to his duties, as disclosed in Royal correspondent Robert Jobson’s new book, Catherine, the Princess of Wales, currently being serialised in the Daily Mail.

However, the Prince of Wales acknowledges that his father’s work-centric approach negatively affected him during his formative years and strained their relationship.

Charles’ commitment to his Royal duties reportedly left Princes William and Harry feeling somewhat neglected in their youth. In contrast, William has been determined to be an involved father, often seen demonstrating a warm relationship with his son George, as noted by author Robert.

He is intent on ensuring his children have a childhood filled with love, a sentiment Kate wholeheartedly supports. According to Robert, William’s bond with Charles has strengthened, particularly since Harry began levelling criticisms from across the pond in California.

Kate, for her part, has made it clear that her children are her top priority, insisting on taking full maternity leave out of the spotlight.

The Queen and then-Prince Charles were quite supportive of her decision, especially during her pregnancy with Princess Charlotte in 2015.

Robert shares that the Queen, mindful of Princess Diana’s feelings of alienation, was eager to ensure Kate felt included, finding that her grandson was already on the same page: “Princess Diana had repeatedly expressed to the Queen that she always felt like an outsider, and the monarch did not want history to repeat itself with Catherine,” he penned. “It turned out he was pushing against an open door.”

Kate wants the children to feel like they’re wrapped up in love (Image: Getty)

Duchess Sophie: King Charles’s Secret Weapon

As King Charles looks to redefine the monarchy, Duchess Sophie and her husband Prince Edward are reportedly at the center of significant changes involving royal residences and family dynamics. Recent reports indicate that the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh are potential candidates to move into Royal Lodge, the current residence of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson. This shift would mark a notable change, as King Charles is said to be eager to reassign the property. The king aims to relocate the Duke of York to Frogmore Cottage, previously the home of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. However, Prince Andrew, who’s resided at Royal Lodge since 2003, is reportedly reluctant to leave his 30-room mansion, citing a 75-year lease and the estate’s historical significance as reasons for staying.

Royal Lodge Reshuffling

Sources suggest that Sophie and Edward could take over Royal Lodge, with Sophie described as a serious contender for this role. An insider told Women’s Day magazine that Sophie and Edward’s potential move has complicated the situation, prompting King Charles to address his plan openly. This has led to a tense atmosphere, with rumors of a possible intervention by Prince William if the issue is not resolved soon. Royal author Gareth Russell has also noted that while The Prince and Princess of Wales might seem like a natural choice, they’ve shown little interest in moving, making the Edinburgh couple a more viable option.

King Charles’s Broader Intentions

King Charles’s intentions extend beyond just reshuffling residences. The king is reportedly concerned about ensuring that Queen Camilla has a secure home for the future. As a result, he wishes to establish a stable residence for her in Windsor, potentially involving Sophie and Edward as caretakers of Royal Lodge. This plan reflects the king’s desire to provide for Camilla’s well-being after his passing. Prince Andrew’s desire to keep Royal Lodge as an inheritance for his daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, has added to the complex dynamics. The Duke of York and Sarah Ferguson were allowed to remain in Royal Lodge following the Duchess of York’s cancer diagnosis in 2023. Nevertheless, the king’s push to finalize the relocation underscores the ongoing tensions within the royal family.

Sophie’s Role in Royal Affairs

The Duchess of Edinburgh’s involvement in royal affairs extends beyond property matters. Sophie reportedly faced a snub from Meghan Markle, despite her attempts to offer support as a fellow outsider who joined the royal family in 1999. Sophie hoped to mentor Meghan, who was navigating her new royal role. According to a source, Sophie and Meghan had an extensive conversation where Sophie offered valuable advice on transitioning into royal life. Sophie found Meghan engaging and offered her support but was surprised when Meghan didn’t reciprocate or follow up. The Duchess had hoped for a return invitation to Frogmore Cottage, where Meghan and Harry were residing at the time. Some royal commentators suggest that Meghan may have felt that she didn’t need additional guidance, relying instead on Prince Harry.

Missed Mentorship Opportunity

This sentiment was echoed by commentator Kinsey Schofield, who noted that Meghan’s rejection of Sophie’s mentorship opportunity might have been a missed chance for learning. The queen had recommended Sophie as a mentor for Meghan, believing that she’d be an ideal guide through the complexities of royal life. Meghan’s decision to decline this offer and rely on Harry instead may have deprived her of valuable insights. According to Schofield, Sophie’s genuine intention to assist Meghan was overlooked, marking a missed opportunity for both women to build a supportive relationship. Duchess Sophie is becoming an influential figure in the evolving royal landscape. Her potential role at Royal Lodge and her past attempts to support Meghan Markle highlight her significant, albeit complex, involvement in the monarchy’s future.

Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, has reportedly taken on a ‘key’ role in the Royal Family and stepped up to support King Charles in his cancer battle

King Charles has found a huge source of support in Duchess Sophie (Image: Getty Images)

As King Charles grapples with cancer, he’s relying on other working royals to carry out Royal duties. One such Royal who has been seen ‘stepping up’ is the Duchess of Edinburgh.

Sophie officially joined The Firm 25 years ago when she married Queen Elizabeth II’s youngest son, the Duke of Edinburgh. In recent times, Sophie has been observed dedicating more time to high-profile engagements, including attending the Sovereign’s garden party at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh, hosted by King Charles and Queen Camilla last month, reports the Mirror.

With her growing visibility, former BBC Royal correspondent Jennie Bond shared her predictions for Sophie’s future role with OK!: “I think we can expect Sophie to keep up or even increase her workload as the key member of the royal family she now is. She has really come into her own in recent years and is now rightly getting the recognition she deserves.”

However, Jennie highlighted that Sophie still has her ‘own family’ to think about, which could affect her Royal duties, stating: “She still has her own family to consider…her 93 year old father and her children, now 20 and 16. But she seems to be devoting more and more time to high profile royal engagements.”

King Charles has been leaning on his sister-in-law Duchess Sophie a lot in recent months (Image: (Image: Getty))

“I think she is also much admired for carrying out overseas tours, often highlighting extremely difficult subjects such as violence against women in conflict zones, without very much attendant publicity.”

“The King relies heavily on the small band of working royals he has around him…particularly since his cancer diagnosis and with Catherine out of action. This, I think, has brought him closer than ever to his youngest brother and Sophie,”.

“I think Charles will always be grateful for the huge support and affection Sophie gave to his mother, the late Queen…who came to regard her as another daughter.”

Despite the Princess of Wales’s hiatus from public duties due to treatment, she has still managed to make a couple of high-profile appearances. She was the picture of elegance during the Trooping the Colour event in June, donning a stylish white mini dress marking her first public appearance since December.

Later, at Wimbledon’s Men’s Final in July, the Duchess received a warm reception as she attended one of the sporting calendar’s standout events. The Duchess herself, in a statement shared in June, opened up about her condition, reassuring the public that although she’s progressing well, she admitted she is not out of the woods yet and is experiencing “good days and bad days” on the road to recovery.

It’s been a busy year for the Duchess of Sussex, but one Royal expert has claimed that she’s not ‘cut out for a life of service’.

Meghan Markle may not be ‘cut out for a life of service’ (Image: USA Networks/Everett/REX/Shutterstock)

Despite stepping back from Royal duties four years ago, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have remained incredibly active. This year has seen a flurry of activities for them, including the revival of Prince Harry’s Invictus Games, the unveiling of Meghan’s lifestyle brand American Riviera Orchard, and a tour of Nigeria.

However, despite their busy schedule, which includes celebrating Meghan’s birthday on Sunday, August 4, there is a distinct difference in the type of work they undertake. One Royal expert suggests that Meghan may not be entirely suited to a life of service, reports the Mirror.

In an interview with OK!Magazine, former BBC Royal editor Jennie Bond said: “I suspect that Meghan is a commercial woman with philanthropic ideas aplenty… but her driving force is to capitalise on her fame and ensure she and Harry have enough money for all their needs.”

“I’m not quite convinced that she is totally signed up to a ‘life of service’ so I imagine there will be occasional forays into charity work and makeshift royal tours but I think she is a businesswoman at heart. And, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that!”

Meghan Markle is celebrating her 43rd birthday on Sunday (Image: Getty)

Unlike Prince Harry’s late mother Diana, Princess of Wales who passionately campaigned for the eradication of landmines post-royalty or Sarah, Duchess of York who continues to use her platform for good, Jennie believes that Meghan’s interests lie elsewhere. Her focus now appears to be firmly on building a good life for her husband and children.

While the ongoing family feud with her estranged father Thomas Markle and Harry’s own Royal rift may still be a burden behind closed doors, Jennie suggests that Meghan is not one to dwell on the past but rather focuses on the future.

“Meghan has made her feelings about Royal life abundantly clear and appears to be looking forward rather than dwelling on the past,” Jennie says. “She has said her piece about life with the royals and now she has moved on.”

Family being at the core of everything she does, it is anticipated that both her two children and devoted husband Prince Harry will play a significant role in her birthday celebrations this Sunday.

The expert says a life of service may not be what lies in Meghan’s future (Image: Getty)

“I think Meghan will be a happy bunny as she reaches her 43rd birthday,” pondered the former BBC journalist. “She has managed to have two children in quick succession, she has a prince for a husband, a royal title without having the bother of a royal life, a mansion for a home, a life in sunny California and a stratospheric level of fame. What is there to grumble about? “.

Jennie went on to speculate how the day might unfold, suggesting it will start with some “early morning yoga” followed by a quick “cuddle with her babies” while Harry whips up a delicious breakfast. She even hinted that perhaps granny Doria could be called upon to babysit, allowing the enamoured couple to celebrate together or with friends.

Jennie believes that Archie and Lilibet may have a special role to play in Meghan’s birthday celebrations (Image: Instagram/Alexi Lubomirski)

EXCLUSIVE: Queen Camilla will head up to meet King Charles at Birkhall later in the week where the couple enjoyed their honeymoon in 2005.

Queen Camilla is set to meet King Charles at their honeymoon home Birkhall later in the week (Image: Getty)

Queen Camilla will join King Charles on the Balmoral estate at the end of this week to kick off the Royal Family’s summer holiday celebrations, Express.co.uk can reveal.
According to our extremely well-placed source, Camilla, 77, will head up to meet the monarch at Birkhall where the couple enjoyed their honeymoon in 2005.

The property has been described as the “perfect retreat” for the King as he continues his cancer treatment.

“Camilla has been spending time with her family over the past few weeks and will be heading up to Balmoral later this week,” said the source.

“Birkhall is like a second home to both of them, they absolutely adore it. Not only is it where they had their honeymoon but also where they both enjoy spending time together away from prying eyes.”

Birkhall is nestled in the heart of the Balmoral estate (Image: Getty)

Birkhall isn’t just a favourite for Charles and Camilla – it was also a honeymoon haven for the late Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Prince Edward and Sophie, the Duke and Duchess of Kent and Princess Alexandra and Angus Ogilvy.
Plonked in the heart of the Balmoral estate in Scotland, the royal holiday home was once occupied by the late Queen Mother when in Scotland.

Their Majesties are said to be residing at Birkhall even when the rest of the royals roll up to the estate later this week.

King Charles and Queen Camilla have a firm grip on the Royal Family’s holiday plans this summer (Image: Getty)

Express.co.uk exclusively revealed last month that King Charles and Queen Camilla will be joined by other members of the Royal Family for a Balmoral summer holiday this month.

Prince William, Princess Kate and their three children – Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis, 6 – will join the monarch along with Princess Anne and her husband Timothy Laurence.

The Royal Family will make their way to Balmoral after the castle closes down to the public on August 4 and the grounds shut on August 11.

A body language expert has revealed what the Duchess of Sussex was thinking during her new interview with Prince Harry.

Meghan Markle gave away a “clue” that revealed “what she was thinking” in her new interview with Prince Harry, a body language expert has claimed.

Today, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex launched a campaign aimed at tackling child safety online, with Meghan revealing she “only scratched the surface” of speaking about her mental health in her now infamous interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2021.

Speaking to CBS’s Jane Pauley, the Sussexes announced the Parents’ Network with mothers and fathers who have lost their children to suicide due to a lack of safeguarding online.

Meghan said that she hoped discussing her own mental health in 2021 would help others suffering with suicidal thoughts and put her hand on Harry’s knee.

Speaking to the Mail, body language expert Judi James explained that this shows how the Duchess is “seeking support” from her husband.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry in their new interview (Image: CBS)

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry with parents from the Parents’ Network (Image: Getty)

She said: “Their key tactile moment is made more dramatic by their previous ‘hands-off’ behaviour throughout the interview.

“When the interview focuses on Meghan’s own suffering we see her right arm extend as her hand is placed on Harry’s leg.

“This gesture could serve more than one purpose. It looks like a seeking for support and strength from Harry as she shares her own experience of ‘suicidal ideas’.

“But there is a wariness about Harry’s head tilt and the way he watches his wife’s face that could mean she uses the touch as a reassuring tie-sign to let him know she’s ok here discussing her ‘healing journey’, despite telling Pauley that ‘I wasn’t expecting it’ but that she would ‘take the hit’ to help others.”

The campaign, which carries the slogan #NoChildLostToSocialMedia, includes a video that has been posted on the Foundation’s website and features parents who have lost their children to suicide because of online harm.

The Samaritans can be reached round the clock, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

If you need a response immediately, it’s best to call them on the phone. You can reach them by calling 116 123, by emailing [email protected] or by visiting