The insider comment comes from a former royal butler, who worked between 2004 and 2011 for the Firm

A royal expert has predicted what Meghan Markle could expect to receive when she celebrates her birthday next week.

The Duchess of Sussex, is due to celebrate her 44th birthday on 4 August, just more than a month before her husband, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, rings in his 41st.

Last year, Grazia Magazine shared that Meghan would celebrate her 43rd birthday by hosting an ‘at-home-cookout’ with her immediate family and perhaps invite some of her closest friends.

“They may have a party, they do enjoy summer BBQs outdoors so they might invite friends round for a dinner or a BBQ,” former royal butler Grant Harrold said to The New York Post, adding that Harry would make sure that his spouse was ‘celebrated’ on her special day.

However, while no official plans have been revealed for Meghan’s 44th birthday bash, Harrold, who’d previously worked under King Charles III between 2004 and 2011- has predicted a ‘surprise’ will likely take place.

Speaking on behalf of Heart Bingo, he said: “As far as the Royal Family congratulating or wishing a happy birthday, I believe the King and Queen will wish her a happy birthday.

“I think Catherine as well, but Catherine might do it on behalf of her and William.”

Kate Middleton and Prince William have publicly wished Meghan a happy birthday in the past, sharing photographs of her on their joint social media platform.

It seems the last time the pair publicly marked the mother-of-two’s birthday was in 2022. Harrold has also said that, as well as words, gifts may be exchanged between the royal family and Meghan this year, too.

“I still think gifts do get exchanged.” he said. “The thing with the Royal Family is that when it comes to politeness and manners, they are top of the game, so I do think they will still honour it. That’s my feeling.”

When asked if fans will be given an insight into Meghan’s birthday celebrations, the royal expert said: “I think we’ll see something on social media.

“They’ll try to make people aware it’s her birthday, which is normal, that’s what everyone likes to do because it’s nice to get birthday wishes.”

Tensions between Meghan, Harry, and the Firm were made public in 2020 when the Duke and Duchess of Sussex made announcement that they would be stepping down as working royals.

The couple then swapped Frogmore Cottage for their home in California, and have since opened up about their life in interviews and a titular Netflix project.

In January 2023, Harry claimed there had been a spat between his wife and Catherine in the run-up to their 2018 royal wedding.

Writing in his bestselling memoir, Spare, the veteran said the duo had shared a string of text messages about bridesmaid dresses needing to be altered that left his then-wife-to-be ‘sobbing on the floor’.

It’s understood that Kate came round with a bouquet of flowers and a card to apologise for the misunderstanding.