Meghan Markle celebrates 44th birthday today and here's 13 of her iconic moments

Meghan Markle is celebrating her 44th birthday today. The Duchess of Sussex, 44, is believed to be spending her special day with her nearest and dearest, including her husband Prince Harry, 40, and their children Prince Archie, six, and Princess Lilibet, four.

While the duchess' plans are being kept private, it is likely Meghan will share some sort of insight into her special day later on Instagram. It is also likely that Meghan will receive plenty of birthday wishes from friends, family and fans.

To celebrate Meghan's birthday, here at Express.co.uk we have looked at 13 of her iconic moments...

was one of the briefcase models on Deal or No Deal in the US. While Meghan, 44, has previously said she was grateful for the show, she also had some criticism about her time on the programme too. On an episode of her first Spotify podcast series ‘Archetypes', Meghan said: "I was thankful for the job but not for how it made me feel. Which was...not smart. And by the way, I was surrounded by smart women on that stage with me." " data-has-syndication-rights="1" data-portal-copyright="Trae Patton/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images" data-licensor-name="Trae Patton/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images" /> reportedly once admitted to a fan that she missed the show, which she worked on for six years. " data-has-syndication-rights="1" data-portal-copyright="Frank Ockenfels/USA/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images" data-licensor-name="Frank Ockenfels/USA/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images" /> peeked at the set-up, telling her on the phone: "It's actually happening! Oh my God Jess, Jess, it's happening, it's happening. He told me not to peek." " data-has-syndication-rights="1" data-portal-copyright="DANIEL LEAL/AFP via Getty Images" data-licensor-name="DANIEL LEAL/AFP via Getty Images" /> believed to have got on well, with the duchess having only spoken positively about her. Speaking to Oprah Winfrey in 2021 about the late monarch, Meghan said: "She asked me to join her. And we have breakfast together that morning and she gave me a beautiful gift and I just really loved being in her company, and I remember we were in the car and she gave me some beautiful pearl earrings and a matching necklace, and we were in the car going between engagements. And she has a blanket that sits across her, her knees, for warmth and it was chilly...and she was like, 'Meghan, come on.' And put it over my knees as well. And it made me think of my grandmother, where she's always been warm and inviting and really welcoming." " data-has-syndication-rights="1" data-portal-copyright="Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images" data-licensor-name="Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images" /> that she had felt vulnerable. When asked how she was getting on, Meghan said: "Thank you for asking, because not many people have asked if I'm OK. But it's a very real thing to be going through behind the scenes." Tom then asked: "And the answer is, would it be fair to say, not really OK, as in it's really been a struggle?" Meghan replied: "Yes." " data-has-syndication-rights="1" data-portal-copyright=" Toby Melville - Pool/Getty Images" data-licensor-name=" Toby Melville - Pool/Getty Images" />

"There was thought in that. To my understanding, you can't ever wear the same colour as Her Majesty if there's a group event, but then you also shouldn't be wearing the same colour as one of the other, more senior members of the family."

Talking about the last week of royal engagements, she then said: "But I wore a lot of colour that week... I just felt like, ‘Let's just look like a rainbow.'"

" data-has-syndication-rights="1" data-portal-copyright="Justin Goff Photos/Getty Images" data-licensor-name="Justin Goff Photos/Getty Images" /> lived in Montecito for the past five years. After quitting royal life in 2020, the couple moved to the neighbourhood in California, where they live in a sprawling mansion with their two children. " data-has-syndication-rights="1" data-portal-copyright="Karwai Tang/WireImage" data-licensor-name="Karwai Tang/WireImage" /> renewed for a second season. " data-has-syndication-rights="1" data-portal-copyright="Netflix." data-licensor-name="Netflix." />