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Meghan Markle forced to scrap next glitzy appearance due to escalating situation

Meghan Markle forced to scrap next glitzy appearance due to escalating situation

Daily Mirror11-06-2025
Just days before Meghan Markle was due to be the guest of honour at a charity event at an LA museum, the event has been cancelled due to ongoing unrest in the city
Meghan Markle will no longer appear at a glitzy event in Los Angeles on Saturday as the charity bash has been cancelled due to ongoing unrest in the city. Meghan was scheduled to be the guest of honour at the Museum of Natural History in Los Angeles, where she was expected to give a speech about her extensive charity work.
However, as the streets of LA continue to be occupied by protestors facing off against ICE officers, organisers postponed the black-tie Night of Wonder event. Dr. Lori Bettison-Varga, President and Director of the Natural History Museum in LA, said in a statement : "As an institution 'of, for, and with Los Angeles,' our responsibility during challenging times is clear: to serve as a community resource focused on healing and unity, not celebration."


"Los Angeles needs us to channel our energy toward supporting our neighbours and demonstrating the values that make our city and county strong," her statement continued.
The statement went on to clarify that the decision to indefinitely postpone the event was made by the museum's Board of Trustees, leadership and event partners, who "unanimously agreed" that pausing the event was "the appropriate response to current community circumstances."
Chief Advancement Officer Paul Bessire added: 'We will find a future moment to celebrate our work. Until then, we will channel our energy towards being welcoming spaces for learning and discovery for everyone who walks through our doors.'
The museum is expected to reschedule the event for a later date, and will continue with their daily operations and educational programs until the event is back in the calendar.
The gala had planned to honour Meghan and her charity work, focusing on her championing of women and underprivileged communities, with other guests from cultural and philanthropic communities across Los Angeles also expected to attend.

Dr Bettison-Varga had been excited to welcome Meghan to the event, saying in a statement earlier this week: "We are proud to honour Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, a native Angeleno, whose work to advance community wellbeing and expand opportunity – especially for underserved communities – aligns with our equity-focused approach to developing science literacy for the next generation."
The Office of Prince Harry and Meghan added that Meghan's mission to advance community wellbeing and uplift young women 'dovetails with the museums' approach to connecting community and science by fostering meaningful educational experiences that empower young minds.'
The event was originally scheduled to take place on Saturday, with the gala happening at the same time at royal family will attend Trooping the Colour in London to celebrate the King's birthday.

Parts of Los Angeles have been placed into lockdown, as locals continue to rise up against ICE officers who have been placed on the streets as part of President Trump's large-scale immigration policy.
A local emergency has been declared in the Californian city with the National Guard descending on the city, after rioters set fire to cars, looted buildings and attacked officers. The protests began when ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) officers raided the city to detain those who they believed were illegal immigrants.
Los Angeles mayor Karen Bass warned: "If you do not live or work in Downtown LA avoid the area. Law enforcement will arrest individuals who break the curfew, and you will be prosecuted.'
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'Prince Harry should stop being the victim': Queen's press secretary urges 'impulsive' duke to 'write his own script' because people are 'tired' of how he thinks 'world is against him'
'Prince Harry should stop being the victim': Queen's press secretary urges 'impulsive' duke to 'write his own script' because people are 'tired' of how he thinks 'world is against him'

Daily Mail​

time27 minutes ago

  • Daily Mail​

'Prince Harry should stop being the victim': Queen's press secretary urges 'impulsive' duke to 'write his own script' because people are 'tired' of how he thinks 'world is against him'

Prince Harry needs to stop painting himself as a victim because the public have had enough of hearing 'how awful his life is', a long serving aide to Queen Elizabeth II has warned. Ailsa Anderson was at the Queen's side for 12 years as her press secretary and worked 'very closely' with Her Majesty's grandson before he met Meghan Markle. Speaking to a new documentary about Harry's 'terrible' 2025, Ms Anderson has said he is a 'very warm, engaging and kind person' who has lost his way and needs to shed his victim mentality. In a message directed at the Duke of Sussex she said: 'Stop being the victim and start being the hero of the piece, start writing your own script. I think people are just getting a little bit tired of how Prince Harry thinks the world is against him and how awful his life is'. Ailsa, who worked for the Queen between 2001 and 2013, says that the exiled prince is 'too impulsive' and has also unwisely made public private matters about his family, including King Charles ' health. She said: 'I think trust is paramount in every walk of life, if you can't trust your family, who can you trust?'. Charles and William will fear that if they were to welcome Harry back, 'private information would then be leaked', she said. Channel 5's documentary Prince Harry: My Terrible Year was broadcast on Saturday night. On it experts have suggested that they believe that Harry does want reconciliation with his family but his 'ego' is in the way. Psychotherapist Emma Reed Turrell said: 'Reconciliation is absolutely possible with moments of accountability and responsibility on both sides. She said in a message for Harry: 'Stick a pin in your ego for a moment and focus not on being right, but being in a relationship. There needs to be forgiveness on both sides.' It came after The Mail on Sunday revealed that Prince Harry is planning to outflank the boardroom rival who accused him of bullying by launching a new African children's charity. Last week, a Charity Commission probe found 'no evidence' to support Sentebale chairman Dr Sophie Chandauka's allegations of bullying, harassment, misogyny and misogynoir – discrimination against black women. But historian Tessa Dunlop said that Sentebale scandal had been very damaging to Harry. 'I'm sure they (Sussexes) are not always easy to work with. She [Dr Sophie Chandauka] weaponised Prince Harry's own words used against him, suggesting Harry has been a malevolent influence on the direction of the charity' She added: 'We're also still talking and writing about Harry, I think there is one thing worse than writing and talking about him, and that's us going silent. Maybe he can find a new mission.' The Duke of Sussex last week walked away from Sentebale following a damning report into an explosive race row. But sources say he is determined to continue the work of the charity, which he co-founded with Prince Seeiso of Lesotho in 2006 in honour of their mothers. 'The Duke is anxious that the fight against poverty and Aids in Lesotho and Botswana carries on,' said an insider. 'He and Prince Seeiso are keen to work together on a new venture. They are talking about setting up a new charity or clubbing together to support other existing charities doing similar work in the region.' The MoS has learned that Harry has now upped the ante by issuing a formal complaint about Dr Chandauka's conduct, accusing her of 'recycling' unfounded claims. A letter to the commission from his office notes that since the investigation, Dr Chandauka had revisited 'serious, highly-charged and damaging allegations'. It said the claims 'directly impact' his other charity work, adding: 'Ms Chandauka continues to publicly recycle these claims, this time beneath the guise of clarification, all while leveraging the charity's public platform to do so. 'This conduct appears to directly contravene your warning about the risks of airing internal disputes in the media and seems to constitute an ongoing misuse of charitable resources for the pursuit of personal vindication.' Despite rejecting the bullying claims, the Charity Commission found problems in Sentebale's governance and rebuked 'all parties' for allowing the dispute to play out in public. However it said Dr Chandauka and the board could remain in place – a decision that left the Duke devastated and complaining of a 'hostile takeover'. This newspaper can now reveal startling new details of the background to Dr Chandauka's 2023 appointment. In an email to fellow board members, she requested $3,000 (£2,200) a day for her time, claiming this represented 'a very significant compromise/pay cut' as she typically charged £2,500 for 60-minute speaking engagements. A source said it raised eyebrows among trustees and was in 'stark contrast to the selfless, pro bono spirit in which most serve'. In the event, the Zimbabwean-born lawyer eventually agreed to work pro bono. Other emails show she was originally turned down for the role of chairman, but launched 'an all-out pressure campaign' for a formal explanation for her rejection. She eventually got the job, with Harry at the time hailing her appointment. The first hint of trouble came in April 2024, when the Duchess of Sussex ushered the charity boss to the centre of a stage at a polo match. Dr Chandauka said that because a clip of the awkward interaction went viral, Harry invited her to make a public statement in support of his wife. She refused, saying the charity 'cannot be an extension of the Sussexes'. But it was a disagreement over fundraising and a £400,000 bill for consultancy work that caused the relationship to sour further. In March, Harry and Prince Seeiso, plus some trustees, resigned. A statement said the relationship with Dr Chandauka was 'broken', 'beyond repair' and 'untenable'. On Saturday, it was reported the Lesotho children's centre run by Sentebale has been 'effectively mothballed' amid a funding crisis – until recently, some 700 children with HIV attended its camps. In a statement after the commission's report, Sentebale said: 'The Charity Commission is explicitly clear... that it is not the Commission's responsibility to adjudicate or mediate internal disputes. 'The Commission has not investigated any individual allegations and therefore has not made any findings in relation to individuals, including Prince Harry.' The former trustees also issued a statement rebuking the commission for choosing to 'ignore key concerns' over the 'leadership and oversight' of Sentebale's chairman.

Meghan Markle issues cryptic message about the UK as she teases As Ever update
Meghan Markle issues cryptic message about the UK as she teases As Ever update

Daily Mail​

time2 hours ago

  • Daily Mail​

Meghan Markle issues cryptic message about the UK as she teases As Ever update

Meghan Markle has issued a cryptic message about her lifestyle brand As Ever's customer base while teasing an expansion beyond the United States. In a new post shared on the firm's official Instagram page, a silhouette of a woman, presumably the Duchess of Sussex, 44, can be seen holding up a wine glass. The caption reads: 'Oh, we see you too! Australia, UK, Canada - love to see how you're finding a way to get your As Ever products. 'You have good good friends.' As Ever's products, which include the recently-released 2024 Napa Valley rosé, are currently only available to buy in the US - with Meghan's post suggesting customers from other countries are recruiting their American acquaintances to get their hands on them. The brand's latest Instagram posts appears to indicate As Ever will soon be available in three new countries - including the UK. It comes after the Duchess of Sussex showed her link to influencer royalty as she featured reality star Khloe Kardashian on her Instagram Story this weekend. Meghan Markle, 44 , reposted the American media personality's own snap of a heartily packed As Ever hamper on her social media, marked with a heart kissing emoji. The opulent spread featured a selection of seasonal vegetables, including squash, corn and tomatoes as well as the lifestyle brand's most recent launches - a bottle of wine and some honey. It's not the first time the wife of Prince Harry has mingled with the Hollywood family following her business launch, as the famous family's matriarch Kris Jenner was also sent some of the brand's jam. It comes as last week, the mother-of-two beamed as she carried out summery wine popsicles in a glitzy new video for her lifestyle brand. The clip is part of promotion material for her 2024 Napa Valley Rosé, a follow-up from the company's debut vintage. According to the company's site, it is 'delicately balanced, with soft notes of stone fruit, a gentle minerality, and a lasting finish' as well as being 'reminiscent of the finest Provençal styles, this thoughtfully crafted blend is perfect for summer's end'. It comes as the lifestyle brand guru shared a behind-the-scenes look at her 44th birthday celebrations in California last week - before fans noticed a hidden detail in the photograph. Meghan marked another year around the sun by unveiling her lifestyle brand As Ever's latest rosé before treating herself to an 'extraordinary' meal at a celebrity-loved restaurant in Beverly Hills. She took to Instagram to share a photo from the party that depicted the Duchess blowing out the candles on a cake decorated with yellow edible flowers - much like the dishes she whipped up over the course of her Netflix series With Love, Meghan. The opulent spread featured a selection of seasonal vegetables, including squash, corn and tomatoes as well as the lifestyle brand's most recent launches - a bottle of wine and some honey However, fans have pointed out another reason why her cake may have been adorned with flowers - as one person revealed it represents the nickname given to her by her mother, Doria Ragland. 'Meghan Sussex celebrated her birthday at a restaurant with family and friends,' they wrote in a post on Instagram. 'Notice the birthday cake represents her nickname "Flower," which was given to her by her mother.' Meghan first divulged Doria referred to her as a 'flower' in a blog post on her now-defunct lifestyle blog The Tig, as she wrote: 'Meg, MM, M&M, and Flower (which my mom has called me since I was little).' She also discussed the nickname during an episode of her since-cancelled Spotify podcast Archetypes that was released in 2022 when Meghan admitted that Doria still calls her by the nickname that has been in use since she was a child. Speaking about the importance of nicknames with the Pose actress Michaela J Rodriguez, Meghan revealed she had no problem with the nickname, instead saying she loves it. Doria and Meghan are very close, with the former having appeared on her daughter's podcast, Harry and Meghan's bombshell Netflix docuseries as well as a brief cameo at a brunch on the Duchess' lifestyle series With Love, Meghan. She was also likely present at Meghan's birthday party last night at Hollywood hotspot Funke in Beverly Hills alongside Prince Harry and her Los Angeles pals. Meghan repurposed a closet staple for her 44th birthday celebrations as she picked the white, embellished Valentino shift dress - decorated flower appliqués - she last wore to a charity concert in 2021 for the occasion. She last reached for the dress, which retails for around £4,000, when Meghan and Harry attended the Global Citizen Live charity concert in New York's Central Park in September 2021. At the time, Meghan styled her dark locks in a sophisticated, loose ponytail - but the mother-of-two literally and figuratively let her hair down when she decided to restyle the dress for her birthday party on Tuesday, August 4. The actress-turned-royal shared a photo of herself with closed eyes as she blew out the candles on her birthday cake. 'Blowing out the candles on a beautiful 24 hours, and thanking my husband, friends and family for making it so special,' she captioned the celebratory post. '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 added. She also gave her followers a behind-the-scenes glimpse at the festivities while joking she was going to 'get a little foodie on' them, as she revealed her party was held at Funke - the celebrity-loved restaurant frequented by stars like Kim Kardashian, Michelle Obama, Jennifer Lopez, and Matt Damon. The acclaimed restaurant is led by head chef and co-owner Evan Funke, who had previously opened Felix Trattoria in Los Angeles. Since opening in January 2023, the restaurant has earned a coveted spot in the Michelin dining guide and was ranked at 25 on the 101 Best Restaurants in LA list by the Los Angeles Times. In October, Funke served as the location for Hailey Bieber's Rhode Skin launch party, where she was joined by her husband Justin Bieber. A year earlier, Kim Kardashian brought her own birthday celebrations to Funke as she turned 43. In Meghan's caption, she praised Funke and his team for creating one of 'the top five meals of my life.' 'Extraordinary 🍝 Thank you for a standout dining experience,' she gushed. The Suits star was dressed in an elegant white ensemble decorated with rhinestones as she leaned forward to blow out her candles in her photo. Her gorgeous cake appeared to have been frosted with meringue that was torched to a pleasant brown shade and decorated on top with flowers. Earlier on Tuesday, Meghan shared a series of rare personal messages on social media after several of her closest friends from her 'Montecito moms' circle and her days as an actress on Suits were quick to share tributes for her birthday. Close pals including Meghan's costar in the legal drama Abigail Spencer, Kelly McKee Zajfen, Tracy Robbins, Jamie Kern Lima all took to Instagram on Monday to share gushing compliments, calling the Duchess 'pure magic' and describing her as 'like sunshine in a bottle'. And in a rare move from the Duchess, she commented on their posts in a mutual display of affection. Meghan's long-time pal Abigail was the first to share a tribute to the Duchess, calling her 'Champagne in human form' and a 'sister in this life and beyond'. As Abigail was also celebrating her birthday yesterday, Meghan fired back: 'Thank you, sweet Abs! Right back at you, and happy birthday to YOU! 44/4' - her comment referring to them both turning 44 on the fourth day of the month. Kelly McKee Zajfen, a former model and co-founder of Alliance of Moms, has been friends with Meghan for many years after first meeting with the Duchess's ex-husband, Trevor Engelson. She shared an unseen black-and-white photograph of herself and the mother-of-two laughing together, while standing beside a fountain. In the photo, Meghan was wearing a stylish chain print blend dress from Veronica Beard, retailing at $635. Kelly wrote: 'Happy Birthday to you sweet M!! Tracy showed a very light-hearted and laid back side to Meghan, as they were seen giggling while enjoying cocktails together 'You're pure magic!! A force of fun, light, and so much love. Thank you for being the kind of friend who makes everything better (and way more fun). Here's to the best trip around the ☀️ yet! '(This captures us perfectly! ✨✨) Love you so very much!' Meghan replied: 'Thank you!', adding heart, cake and champagne emojis. The Duchess also featured in several new photos shared by her close pal Tracy Robbins, who lives in Montecito and is married to Paramount boss Brian Robbins - with the couple occasionally going on double dates with Meghan and Prince Harry. Tracy showed a very light-hearted and laidback side to Meghan, as they were seen giggling while enjoying cocktails together. In one candid snap, Meghan couldn't contain her laughter as some of the foam from her cocktail landed on her nose. 'Happy birthday my dear @meghan Oh how I can laugh and dance with you like no other. You are sunshine in a bottle!' Tracy gushed. '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!' Referring to her husband Prince Harry, and children Prince Archie, six, and Princess Lilibet, four, she added: 'I hope your wee posse of 3 are smothering you with hugs and kisses today my dear! Happiest of birthdays M!' Keeping it simple, Meghan commented a selection of pink and red heart emojis. Tracy also shared a photo of Meghan and her husband Brian backstage at Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter tour - which they attended together in May at the SoFi stadium in California. She added: 'Happy birthday M! Brian and I adore you!' Jamie Kern Lima, who hosted Meghan on her podcast earlier this year, shared on her story: 'Happy Birthday @meghan thank you for being love, light and such a great friend to everyone who has the gift of truly knowing you!!!' Seconds later, she shared another image, holding a rainbow fruit platter they had made behind the scenes of the podcast: 'Happy Birthday @meghan Wonder had so much fun making this for you! Can't wait to see what we learn on Season 2 of your show! Thank you for being love, light and such a generous friend to everyone you meet!' Meghan's make-up artist pal Daniel Martin, who helped get the Duchess ready for her 2018 wedding to Prince Harry, meanwhile shared a sweet snap of Meghan and her beagle Mia in the garden of her Montecito mansion, simply writing 'HBD sis!' Rounding off the tributes was actress Kerry Washington, who has been friends with Meghan since 2013, and said: 'To this beautiful (inside and out) @meghan Love you so much!' Jamie Kern Lima also shared a behind-the-scenes look from their podcast earlier this year - including a rainbow fruit platter they had made together Kelly Mckee Zajfen shared an unseen black-and-white photograph of herself and the mother-of-two laughing together, while standing beside a fountain Meghan's As Ever brand has posted a gushing birthday tribute as she turned 44. Her lifestyle company took to Instagram with a black and white snapshot of the mother-of-two wearing a sundress and hat as she beamed into the distance. The caption enthused about Meghan and her role leading the company. 'Celebrating the woman behind it all,' it read. 'She pours her heart, vision and magic touch into every detail, and today, we raise a glass to her! Happy birthday to our founder.' It was then re-shared on As Ever's Instagram Story alongside two champagne flutes clinking together in celebration. On Sunday, the eve of her 44th birthday, Meghan took to social media to share a teaser for her lifestyle brand. Abigail Spencer and Meghan met years ago during an audition but got to know each other after appearing on Suits together In her gushing birthday message, Abigail wished Meghan a happy birthday, and credited the Duchess with 'saving' her life Meghan replied with a rare social media comment, writing: 'Thank you, sweet Abs! Right back at you, and happy birthday to YOU! 44/4' The Duchess shared a video of herself carrying a wicker basket filled with flowers and bottles of As Ever Napa Valley rosé laid in white linen. While Meghan's face did not feature in the video, it showed her wearing a short white dress as she frolicked in the grass, thought to be at her Montecito estate near Santa Barbara, California. She showed off her stack of rings on her left ring finger, including her engagement ring, wedding ring and an infinity ring, estimated to be worth around £210,000. She also wore a gold Cartier Love Bracelet, which costs up to £7,050, and a gold Cartier Tank Watch that once belonged to Princess Diana, both of which she regularly wears. The clip later showed a view of Meghan's swinging feet as she sits atop a stone garden wall, clad in £720 tan-coloured Hermes Santorini sandals. The words 'Coming soon...' appeared over the video to tease the launch of her new 2024 Napa Valley rosé. Shared on the official As Ever Instagram page last night, the caption read: 'Goodness in a glass. Right around the to August!' Meghan's latest post comes after she announced another product coming to her As Ever line - although some of her customers were baffled as to what was actually new. The Duchess launched her lifestyle brand As Ever earlier this year, releasing the first products in April, which included a range of teas, a raspberry spread, and a limited-edition wildflower honey with honeycomb, amongst other things. She followed it up with an apricot spread and another honey, and in July, she expanded into the world of alcohol when she dropped her own wine - the 2023 Napa Valley rosé. Each release has been met with fierce excitement from her fans, and every product has sold out pretty quickly. Now, the Duchess of Sussex 's brand has announced its newest product... but it might not garner the same amount of enthusiasm since it's not very different from her last item. The company revealed on Wednesday that following the buzz surrounding the 2023 Napa Valley rosé, it will be launching another wine, with a slight tweak - calling it the 2024 Napa Valley rosé. And it vowed that it will pretty much taste the same as As Ever's first wine. 'It marries the same harmony of notes from our first blend and creates an elegant medley of delicate yet memorable flavor,' reads a press release. 'You'll want to clink glasses with friends as the sun sets, toasting to a summer of joy. In the video, Meghan swings her Hermes-clad feet while sitting on a wall, her basket filled with flowers and bottles of wine Meghan described her new bottles as 'goodness in a glass' - as she launched the new line on her birthday Meghan Markle tried to stir up excitement over her new product announcement but it might be hard for customers to spot what's new with this one The company revealed on Wednesday that following the buzz surrounding the 2023 Napa Valley rosé, it will be launching another wine, called the 2024 Napa Valley rosé 'Barefoot or in sandals, dressed up or dressed down, this rosé may become your favorite accessory for alfresco lunches and dinners at dusk.' In the release, As Ever listed some of the positive feedback customers had given the company over its first rosé, which included comments like, '10 out of 10,' 'perfect,' and 'elevated flavor'. 'This affirmed all of the love, time and effort our team, and our founder, poured into curating this blend to evoke the sun drenched spirit of Napa Valley, and the breathtaking tenor of the California Coast,' As Ever added. 'Thank you for filling our cup. Now it's time for us to fill your glass! We are pleased to share that our 2024 Napa Valley rosé will be available for purchase next week.' The brand also posted to Instagram with a series of images showing the new wine resting in beach sand. It was uploaded alongside a caption that read: 'Oh, how we love seeing the world through rose colored glasses. Rosé colored glasses? Perhaps even better. 'Our new vintage of As Ever's beloved rosé is available next week. 'Stay tuned for more details and timing.' As Ever's first wine went on sale on July 1 and sold out within the hour.

Khloe Kardashian enjoys hamper from Meghan Markle's As Ever brand - as delighted Duchess reposts reality star's surprising social media shoutout
Khloe Kardashian enjoys hamper from Meghan Markle's As Ever brand - as delighted Duchess reposts reality star's surprising social media shoutout

Daily Mail​

time3 hours ago

  • Daily Mail​

Khloe Kardashian enjoys hamper from Meghan Markle's As Ever brand - as delighted Duchess reposts reality star's surprising social media shoutout

The Duchess of Sussex has once again showed her link to influencer royalty as she featured reality star Khloe Kardashian on her Instagram Story this weekend. Meghan Markle, 44 , reposted the American media personality's own snap of a heartily packed As Ever hamper on her social media, marked with a heart kissing emoji. The opulent spread featured a selection of seasonal vegetables, including squash, corn and tomatoes as well as the lifestyle brand's most recent launches - a bottle of wine and some honey. It comes as last week, the mother-of-two beamed as she carried out summery wine popsicles in a glitzy new video for her lifestyle brand. The clip is part of promotion material for her 2024 Napa Valley Rosé, a follow-up from the company's debut vintage. According to the company's site, it is 'delicately balanced, with soft notes of stone fruit, a gentle minerality, and a lasting finish' as well as being 'reminiscent of the finest Provençal styles, this thoughtfully crafted blend is perfect for summer's end'. It comes as the lifestyle brand guru shared a behind-the-scenes look at her 44th birthday celebrations in California last week - before fans noticed a hidden detail in the photograph. Meghan marked another year around the sun by unveiling her lifestyle brand As Ever's latest rosé before treating herself to an 'extraordinary' meal at a celebrity-loved restaurant in Beverly Hills. She took to Instagram to share a photo from the party that depicted the Duchess blowing out the candles on a cake decorated with yellow edible flowers - much like the dishes she whipped up over the course of her Netflix series With Love, Meghan. However, fans have pointed out another reason why her cake may have been adorned with flowers - as one person revealed it represents the nickname given to her by her mother, Doria Ragland. 'Meghan Sussex celebrated her birthday at a restaurant with family and friends,' they wrote in a post on Instagram. 'Notice the birthday cake represents her nickname "Flower," which was given to her by her mother.' Meghan first divulged Doria referred to her as a 'flower' in a blog post on her now-defunct lifestyle blog The Tig, as she wrote: 'Meg, MM, M&M, and Flower (which my mom has called me since I was little).' She also discussed the nickname during an episode of her since-cancelled Spotify podcast Archetypes that was released in 2022 when Meghan admitted that Doria still calls her by the nickname that has been in use since she was a child. Speaking about the importance of nicknames with the Pose actress Michaela J Rodriguez, Meghan revealed she had no problem with the nickname, instead saying she loves it. Doria and Meghan are very close, with the former having appeared on her daughter's podcast, Harry and Meghan's bombshell Netflix docuseries as well as a brief cameo at a brunch on the Duchess' lifestyle series With Love, Meghan. She was also likely present at Meghan's birthday party last night at Hollywood hotspot Funke in Beverly Hills alongside Prince Harry and her Los Angeles pals. Meghan repurposed a closet staple for her 44th birthday celebrations as she picked the white, embellished Valentino shift dress - decorated flower appliqués - she last wore to a charity concert in 2021 for the occasion. She last reached for the dress, which retails for around £4,000, when Meghan and Harry attended the Global Citizen Live charity concert in New York's Central Park in September 2021. At the time, Meghan styled her dark locks in a sophisticated, loose ponytail - but the mother-of-two literally and figuratively let her hair down when she decided to restyle the dress for her birthday party on Tuesday, August 4. The actress-turned-royal shared a photo of herself with closed eyes as she blew out the candles on her birthday cake. 'Blowing out the candles on a beautiful 24 hours, and thanking my husband, friends and family for making it so special,' she captioned the celebratory post. '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 added. She also gave her followers a behind-the-scenes glimpse at the festivities while joking she was going to 'get a little foodie on' them, as she revealed her party was held at Funke - the celebrity-loved restaurant frequented by stars like Kim Kardashian, Michelle Obama, Jennifer Lopez, and Matt Damon. The acclaimed restaurant is led by head chef and co-owner Evan Funke, who had previously opened Felix Trattoria in Los Angeles. Since opening in January 2023, the restaurant has earned a coveted spot in the Michelin dining guide and was ranked at 25 on the 101 Best Restaurants in LA list by the Los Angeles Times. In October, Funke served as the location for Hailey Bieber's Rhode Skin launch party, where she was joined by her husband Justin Bieber. A year earlier, Kim Kardashian brought her own birthday celebrations to Funke as she turned 43. In Meghan's caption, she praised Funke and his team for creating one of 'the top five meals of my life.' 'Extraordinary 🍝 Thank you for a standout dining experience,' she gushed. The Suits star was dressed in an elegant white ensemble decorated with rhinestones as she leaned forward to blow out her candles in her photo. Her gorgeous cake appeared to have been frosted with meringue that was torched to a pleasant brown shade and decorated on top with flowers. Earlier on Tuesday, Meghan shared a series of rare personal messages on social media after several of her closest friends from her 'Montecito moms' circle and her days as an actress on Suits were quick to share tributes for her birthday. Close pals including Meghan's costar in the legal drama Abigail Spencer, Kelly McKee Zajfen, Tracy Robbins, Jamie Kern Lima all took to Instagram on Monday to share gushing compliments, calling the Duchess 'pure magic' and describing her as 'like sunshine in a bottle'. And in a rare move from the Duchess, she commented on their posts in a mutual display of affection. Meghan's long-time pal Abigail was the first to share a tribute to the Duchess, calling her 'Champagne in human form' and a 'sister in this life and beyond'. As Abigail was also celebrating her birthday yesterday, Meghan fired back: 'Thank you, sweet Abs! Right back at you, and happy birthday to YOU! 44/4' - her comment referring to them both turning 44 on the fourth day of the month. Kelly McKee Zajfen, a former model and co-founder of Alliance of Moms, has been friends with Meghan for many years after first meeting with the Duchess's ex-husband, Trevor Engelson. She shared an unseen black-and-white photograph of herself and the mother-of-two laughing together, while standing beside a fountain. In the photo, Meghan was wearing a stylish chain print blend dress from Veronica Beard, retailing at $635. Kelly wrote: 'Happy Birthday to you sweet M!! Tracy showed a very light-hearted and laid back side to Meghan, as they were seen giggling while enjoying cocktails together 'You're pure magic!! A force of fun, light, and so much love. Thank you for being the kind of friend who makes everything better (and way more fun). Here's to the best trip around the ☀️ yet! '(This captures us perfectly! ✨✨) Love you so very much!' Meghan replied: 'Thank you!', adding heart, cake and champagne emojis. The Duchess also featured in several new photos shared by her close pal Tracy Robbins, who lives in Montecito and is married to Paramount boss Brian Robbins - with the couple occasionally going on double dates with Meghan and Prince Harry. Tracy showed a very light-hearted and laidback side to Meghan, as they were seen giggling while enjoying cocktails together. In one candid snap, Meghan couldn't contain her laughter as some of the foam from her cocktail landed on her nose. 'Happy birthday my dear @meghan Oh how I can laugh and dance with you like no other. You are sunshine in a bottle!' Tracy gushed. '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!' Referring to her husband Prince Harry, and children Prince Archie, six, and Princess Lilibet, four, she added: 'I hope your wee posse of 3 are smothering you with hugs and kisses today my dear! Happiest of birthdays M!' Keeping it simple, Meghan commented a selection of pink and red heart emojis. Tracy also shared a photo of Meghan and her husband Brian backstage at Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter tour - which they attended together in May at the SoFi stadium in California. She added: 'Happy birthday M! Brian and I adore you!' Jamie Kern Lima, who hosted Meghan on her podcast earlier this year, shared on her story: 'Happy Birthday @meghan thank you for being love, light and such a great friend to everyone who has the gift of truly knowing you!!!' Seconds later, she shared another image, holding a rainbow fruit platter they had made behind the scenes of the podcast: 'Happy Birthday @meghan Wonder had so much fun making this for you! Can't wait to see what we learn on Season 2 of your show! Thank you for being love, light and such a generous friend to everyone you meet!' Meghan's make-up artist pal Daniel Martin, who helped get the Duchess ready for her 2018 wedding to Prince Harry, meanwhile shared a sweet snap of Meghan and her beagle Mia in the garden of her Montecito mansion, simply writing 'HBD sis!' Rounding off the tributes was actress Kerry Washington, who has been friends with Meghan since 2013, and said: 'To this beautiful (inside and out) @meghan Love you so much!' Meghan's As Ever brand has posted a gushing birthday tribute as she turned 44. Her lifestyle company took to Instagram with a black and white snapshot of the mother-of-two wearing a sundress and hat as she beamed into the distance. The caption enthused about Meghan and her role leading the company. 'Celebrating the woman behind it all,' it read. 'She pours her heart, vision and magic touch into every detail, and today, we raise a glass to her! Happy birthday to our founder.' It was then re-shared on As Ever's Instagram Story alongside two champagne flutes clinking together in celebration. On Sunday, the eve of her 44th birthday, Meghan took to social media to share a teaser for her lifestyle brand. Meghan replied with a rare social media comment, writing: 'Thank you, sweet Abs! Right back at you, and happy birthday to YOU! 44/4' The Duchess shared a video of herself carrying a wicker basket filled with flowers and bottles of As Ever Napa Valley rosé laid in white linen. While Meghan's face did not feature in the video, it showed her wearing a short white dress as she frolicked in the grass, thought to be at her Montecito estate near Santa Barbara, California. She showed off her stack of rings on her left ring finger, including her engagement ring, wedding ring and an infinity ring, estimated to be worth around £210,000. She also wore a gold Cartier Love Bracelet, which costs up to £7,050, and a gold Cartier Tank Watch that once belonged to Princess Diana, both of which she regularly wears. The clip later showed a view of Meghan's swinging feet as she sits atop a stone garden wall, clad in £720 tan-coloured Hermes Santorini sandals. The words 'Coming soon...' appeared over the video to tease the launch of her new 2024 Napa Valley rosé. Shared on the official As Ever Instagram page last night, the caption read: 'Goodness in a glass. Right around the to August!' Meghan's latest post comes after she announced another product coming to her As Ever line - although some of her customers were baffled as to what was actually new. The Duchess launched her lifestyle brand As Ever earlier this year, releasing the first products in April, which included a range of teas, a raspberry spread, and a limited-edition wildflower honey with honeycomb, amongst other things. She followed it up with an apricot spread and another honey, and in July, she expanded into the world of alcohol when she dropped her own wine - the 2023 Napa Valley rosé. Each release has been met with fierce excitement from her fans, and every product has sold out pretty quickly. Now, the Duchess of Sussex 's brand has announced its newest product... but it might not garner the same amount of enthusiasm since it's not very different from her last item. The company revealed on Wednesday that following the buzz surrounding the 2023 Napa Valley rosé, it will be launching another wine, with a slight tweak - calling it the 2024 Napa Valley rosé. And it vowed that it will pretty much taste the same as As Ever's first wine. 'It marries the same harmony of notes from our first blend and creates an elegant medley of delicate yet memorable flavor,' reads a press release. 'You'll want to clink glasses with friends as the sun sets, toasting to a summer of joy. Meghan described her new bottles as 'goodness in a glass' - as she launched the new line on her birthday Meghan Markle tried to stir up excitement over her new product announcement but it might be hard for customers to spot what's new with this one 'Barefoot or in sandals, dressed up or dressed down, this rosé may become your favorite accessory for alfresco lunches and dinners at dusk.' In the release, As Ever listed some of the positive feedback customers had given the company over its first rosé, which included comments like, '10 out of 10,' 'perfect,' and 'elevated flavor'. 'This affirmed all of the love, time and effort our team, and our founder, poured into curating this blend to evoke the sun drenched spirit of Napa Valley, and the breathtaking tenor of the California Coast,' As Ever added. 'Thank you for filling our cup. Now it's time for us to fill your glass! We are pleased to share that our 2024 Napa Valley rosé will be available for purchase next week.' The brand also posted to Instagram with a series of images showing the new wine resting in beach sand. It was uploaded alongside a caption that read: 'Oh, how we love seeing the world through rose colored glasses. Rosé colored glasses? Perhaps even better. 'Our new vintage of As Ever's beloved rosé is available next week. 'Stay tuned for more details and timing.' As Ever's first wine went on sale on July 1 and sold out within the hour. Customers were able to purchase three bottles for $90, six bottles for $159, and 12 bottles for $300.

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