Meghan Markle makes a beautiful wish each birthday – inspired by her mum Doria Ragland. The former Suits actress, who turns 39 on August 4, uses each new milestone to reflect on her life and set goals for her future.
“My mom has always said that birthdays are your own personal New Year,” Meghan wrote in 2016 on her now defunct The Tig lifestyle website. “Your own chance to make resolutions just for yourself and what you prognosticate for your year ahead.”
So what does Meghan wish for every year? “More surprises, more adventure, more opportunities to grow, more days filled with giggles and cheeky jokes, more delicious meals, and more inspiration. Always more inspiration,” she revealed.
She imparted these words of wisdom to her website followers after years of struggling with her identity.
She candidly admitted how her 20s were “brutal” and how she was always judging her weight and appearance.
Meghan spoke of how her school days were even worse and she tried everything to avoid eating her lunch alone.
She wrote: “My 20s were brutal – a constant battle with myself, judging my weight, my style, my desire to be as cool/as hip/as smart/as ‘whatever’ as everyone else.
“My teens were even worse – grappling with how to fit in, and what that even meant. My high school had cliques: the black girls and white girls, the Filipino and the Latina girls.
“Being biracial, I fell somewhere in between. So everyday during lunch, I busied myself with meetings – French club, student body, whatever one could possibly do between noon and 1pm – I was there.
“Not so that I was more involved, but so that I wouldn’t have to eat alone.”
But in 2014, Meghan declared she was the happiest she’s ever been.
“I am 33 years old today,” she said.
“And I am happy. And I say that so plainly because, well…it takes time. To be happy. To figure out how to be kind to yourself. To not just choose that happiness, but to feel it.”
She added: “So for my birthday, here’s what I would like as a gift: I want you to be kind to yourself. I want you to challenge yourself.
“I want you to stop gossiping, to try a food that scares you, to buy a coffee for someone just because, to tell someone you love them…and then to tell yourself right back. I want you to find your happiness.”
And on her birthday in 2016 she said: “I am feeling so incredibly joyful right now, so grateful and content that all I could wish for is more of the same.”
Meghan’s birthday holds a special meaning for the Queen – and the rest of the royal family too as The Queen Mother was born on the same day.