Meghan Markle marked her 45th birthday yesterday with a playful start to the day, dancing through her newly redecorated kitchen to celebrate the milestone.
The Duchess of Sussex posted the moment on Instagram, sharing footage filmed by Prince Harry as she moved along to a birthday tune while wearing a tiara-style headband.
The video offered her 4.7million followers a rare look inside the kitchen of her £11million Montecito home, where she is believed to have spent the day with the Duke of Sussex and their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
The farmhouse-inspired space, thought to have been recently renovated, features two kitchen islands, two chandeliers above the dining table and Meghan’s go-to Vitamix blender, with birthday balloons and several bouquets of flowers adding to the celebratory scene.
Although her outfit was laid-back — a budget slogan T-shirt, pyjama bottoms and a £9 “Happy Birthday!” headband from Target — the mother-of-two accessorised with jewellery worth £46,696.
As Meghan gives fans a fresh peek behind the doors of her California home, here are the subtle details from the birthday clip that may have escaped notice…
Pictured: 1. Two kitchen islands, 2. “It’s Giving Mrs” top, 3. Birthday balloons, 4. £9 headband from Target, 5. Farmhouse-style chandelier, 6. Additional lighting, 7. £160 pyjama bottoms, 8. £30,450 worth of bracelets, 9. £16,246 necklace and earrings
Pictured: 10. Pot filler tap, 11. Traditional Iberian blue and white “azulejo” tile mural, 12. Meghan’s favourite Vitamix blender, 13. Flowers on her bagels
1. Two kitchen islands
Meghan’s swish new kitchen looked to have not just one – but two – kitchen islands, positioned in the centre of the farmhouse-style room. One, featuring a dark wood base and a marble tabletop, while a second, lighter hue one was also available.
Many people opt to do this to have one ‘hosting’ table to present for guests, if there is ever a communal gathering, while a second is there for doing the grunt of cooking ‘work’.
This could be the case for the Duchess – albeit both tables were decorated with ornate vases of flowers.
2. ‘It’s Giving Mrs’ top
In what seems to be a hen-do style item, Meghan wore a white T-shirt that said ‘It’s Giving Mrs’, as she was greeted with the birthday greetings from Harry.
They’re available across a number of online retailers such as Temu – but it’s likely Meghan got hers from Etsy, where they can start from around £9.60.
3. Birthday balloons
It appears that Meghan got no shortage of balloons on her birthday, as the ones presented to her on the kitchen counter were just one of several bunches.
She had also held onto a different, equally festive bunch in her birthday Instagram post, where she was pictured jumping into an outdoor pool.
Two black-and-white images showed the Duchess in a swimsuit – with sunglasses on and her hair tied up in a ponytail – as she leapt into the water.
4. Target party headband
The birthday girl wore a $13 (£9) birthday headband from budget US superstore Target as she danced along to the music.
5. ‘Farmhouse’ chandelier
Meghan’s farmhouse-style kitchen is accentuated with a statement, hanging chandelier in the dining table area, thought to be the $798 (£592) ‘Selene’ fixture from Ping lights.
The product description reads: ‘With its five light pendant configuration, this vintage chandelier casts a warm and inviting glow that beautifully illuminates any space.’
Meghan appears to have opted for the brass metal frame, adding a weathered, period feel.
It appears Meghan got no shortage of balloons on her birthday, as the ones presented to her on the kitchen counter were one of several bunches she received
She also showcased a different bunch of balloons in her birthday Instagram post, where she was pictured jumping into an outdoor pool
6. MORE lights
Not far from her statement lighting fixture, Meghan and Harry have two more lamps right next to each other.
One is a fixture adjusted to the ceiling, while a second – adding more to the rustic aesthetic – is a silver candelabra style chandelier.
7. Pyjama bottoms worth £160
The royal wore £160 pyjama bottoms as she was greeted with the birthday celebrations in the morning.
The set, from company Eberjey, touts the use of a fabric called ‘TENCEL’.
‘Modal fibers and a touch of elastane, this buttery soft fabric is verified by OEKO-TEX® Standard 100, meaning it’s dyed with safe and non-toxic dyes,’ the website says.
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‘This relaxed long sleeve set features contrast piping, a button-front top with a notch collar and functional pocket, and a low-rise straight leg pant.’
8. £30,450 worth of bracelets
Meghan wore some of her favourite bracelets – which typically make up her stack – as she celebrated her birthday.
Among them is her beloved Cartier Tank Française watch, which she inherited from her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana, after Prince Harry passed it on to her following their marriage.
Frequently worn by Meghan, the watch has become a beloved piece in her collection.
Originally valued at £17,800, its historical significance likely makes it worth much more today.
Her lifestyle brand, As Ever, also posted a sharply dressed photo of the Duchess to mark the occasion
She also sported a £7,050 Cartier Love bracelet – an iconic design first created in New York in the 1970s.
Crafted from 18-carat gold, the bracelet’s screw motif symbolises eternal love, with a unique closure that locks around the wrist, representing lasting commitment.
Also on her wrist was a Bezel Tennis Bracelet from Los Angeles-based Jennifer Meyer, which are currently retailing for £5,600.
9. £16,246 necklace and earrings
Meghan was spotted wearing her £15,953 Lovers Duet Diamond and Emerald Chain Necklace in the dancing video.
The impressive piece from Logan Hollowell ’embodies growth, love, and renewal while the asscher diamond, is celebrated for its symmetry and strength’.
She also wore her ‘Royal Signet’ stud earrings from Ariel Gordon, which cost $395 (£293).
10. Pot filler tap
The Duchess has spoken about her love of cooking in her lifestyle show and through her As Ever brand – so it’s perhaps no wonder she has a trendy ‘pot filler tap’ by her stove.
Designed to avoid having to carry around bulky trips with heavy pans – from sink to stove – this allows for easy access.
These can start from £100 and go to anywhere upwards of £2,000.
11. Traditional Iberian blue and white ‘azulejo’ tile mural
Harry and Meghan recently enjoyed a Portuguese getaway – and their love for the country can be shown through the tiles above the Sussexes’s stove.
The blue and white pattern, which looks to be depicting a town square, was made using traditional Iberian ‘azulejo’ tile mural stylings.
Dating as far back as the 13th century, it is characterised by the use of blue and white, often depicting grand historic scenes and designs.
It was also important in helping control the temperature of homes by reflecting the sunlight and acting as a ‘thermal shield’.
Meghan and Harry weren’t the only ones getting into the festive spirit
12. Meghan’s favourite Vitamix blender
Meghan has long sworn by her £449 Vitamix blender – and it was out for her birthday festivities.
She previously told Esquire: ‘When I had my car brought out here [to Canada], I shipped my Vitamix in the backseat. It was one of the things where I was like I cannot travel without my Vitamix.
‘It’s like a commercial at this point. But I use it every day for pestos or shakes. Okay, now that’s too much. I need to stop.’
13. Flowers with bagels
Meghan’s cooking show and lifestyle brand showed that she was a fan of using flowers to present meals – and petals in her cookies.
And now, it appears she could even enjoy them alongside bagels. In the video, the birthday girl was seemingly being treated to some breakfast, which was cooking on the stove.
A plate nearby included bagels, tomatoes, some condiments – and a selection of flowers.
14. Party hats on her pooches
Meghan and Harry weren’t the only ones getting into the festive spirit. Their two dogs, Pula and Mamma Mia wore paper hats.
The hats slip on and off the dogs, before Harry repeated ‘oh dear’ and Meghan chuckled, adding: ‘Oh no, okay, let’s take it off. I’m sorry.’
