From most influential to an all-time low in popularity

Once considered the ultimate power couple, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have seen their public standing plummet over the past few years. While both have taken hits, Meghan Markle’s numbers have dropped the most. The criticism has been relentless, her reputation increasingly questioned, but outwardly, she remains all smiles, carrying on with life as usual. At least, that’s how it appears. And nothing, it seemed, was going to overshadow her 44th birthday. 

Details were scarce at press time, but it was widely assumed she’d celebrate quietly at home in California, surrounded by her closest circle, Prince Harry, rumors of a rift between them fizzled months ago, their children Archie (6) and Lilibet (4), her mother, and her closest friends.

By contrast, on Harry’s milestone 40th birthday last September, the British royal family publicly wished him well. Meghan, however, hasn’t received so much as an official acknowledgement in years, underscoring just how far she’s drifted from the Windsors. For the Firm, entrenched in its long-running feud, the strategy has been to keep calm and carry on. 

© Max Mumby/Indigo

Now, after a series of behind-closed-doors meetings, royal watchers are speculating, could Harry be headed for a reconciliation? Some royal experts claim the prince is “desperate” to repair his relationship with father, King Charles III, whom he hasn’t seen since February 2024. 

And his recent trip to Angola, a return to a place he last visited in 2019, was seen by some British media outlets as a symbolic step toward healing old wounds.

© Pool

For Meghan, the birthday was bittersweet. On the one hand, she’s surrounded by love from her inner circle. On the other hand, the celebration was clouded by reports that Netflix will not be renewing their deal in September, citing underwhelming performance of their content. 

© Netflix

While the news hasn’t been confirmed, all signs point toward the couple shifting to one-off projects instead of multi-year contracts. Still, there’s one bright spot, Netflix remains a partner for As Ever, Meghan’s lifestyle brand, a venture that shows real promise. Her products tend to sell out within hours, and the line continues to expand.