Prince Harry’s unusual birthday gift from Meghan Markle has special hidden meaning

Prince Harry’s unusual birthday gift from Meghan Markle has special hidden meaning
Prince Harry turns 40 tomorrow and no doubt his wife Meghan Markle will have lined up a very special present for her husband – and several years ago she also pulled out all the stops when Harry turned another year older

With his landmark 40th birthday tomorrow, Prince Harry is probably in line for some very special gifts to mark his big day.

And one person who will no doubt be pulling out all of the stops is his wife Meghan Markle. The Duchess of Sussex will be spending the day with her birthday boy husband as well as their two children Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. And on Harry special day several years ago she reportedly surprised him with a very romantic treat.

Five years ago back in 2019, Meghan is believed to have recreated their romantic trip to Botswana by erecting tents in their garden when Harry turned 35. Harry took Meghan on a holiday to Botswana in 2016 right at the start of their relationship, and the former actress is believed to have been keen to bring back memories for him.

Prince Harry ‘called off huge birthday bash at last minute due to Kate Middleton’
Prince Harry turns 40 tomorrow ( Image: AFP via Getty Images)
A source told People magazine at the time that Meghan recreated their camping trip in minute detail from the tents to the sleeping bags. They explained: “Last year, for Harry’s birthday, Meghan recreated their Botswana camping adventures in their backyard. It’s a place that means so much to them – and to Harry in particular – so Meghan wanted to bring that happy place to him on his day so she set up a tent, got sleeping bags, cooked dinner and recreated Botswana where they fell in love.”

Harry asked Meghan to join him on the Botswana trip after they’d had just two dates in London and it’s believed to be the time when the couple first fell in love. Speaking in their engagement interview, Harry said: “I managed to persuade her to come and join me in Botswana. We camped out with each other under the stars. She came and joined me for five days out there, which was absolutely fantastic.”

Botswana clearly holds a special place in the hearts of the Sussexes and the couple could be planning yet another royal-style tour there later this year. So far this year, the Sussexes have embarked on two trips, dubbed DIY-style royal tours, to both Nigeria and Colombia. Both visits have had all the hallmarks of usual royal tours with visits to schools, enjoying performances from traditional dancers and musicians and meeting dignitaries.

According to Hello! magazine, the couple have been buoyed by their recent trips, and later this year may visit Africa, specifically Lesotho and Botswana, where Harry’s Sentebale charity operates. It has been five years since he last visited the countries.

An insider told the publication about his charity work: “That’s his world, that’s what he’s used to and that’s what he knows. He can still add value.” Harry set up Sentebale in in 2006 with Prince Seeiso of Lesotho and the charity helps children and young people in Lesotho and Botswana struggling to come to terms with their HIV and AIDS diagnosis.

News of the potential new trip comes as the first details of Harry’s upcoming solo visit to New York have emerged.

It was previously revealed that Harry would be spending time in the Big Apple in late September to coincide with both the UN General Assembly High-level Week and Climate Week. The initial details revealed that Harry will “advance a number of his patronages and philanthropic initiatives”, according to a spokesperson, and participate in engagements with African Parks, The HALO Trust, The Diana Award, and Travalyst. He will also promote the work of The Archewell Foundation, the nonprofit organisation he co-founded with Meghan.

Now it has been confirmed that he is set to be a guest speaker at the 2024 Clinton Global Initiative annual meeting in NYC, which is taking place on September 23 and 24. The Foundation was founded by former US president Bill Clinton and supported former US Secretary of state Hilary Clinton and their daughter Chelsea, with the theme of this year’s gathering of political, business and philanthropic leaders called “What’s Working”.

During his appearance at the meeting, Harry plans to discuss the launch of The Archewell Foundation Parents’ Network, an initiative supporting parents whose children have suffered or died due to online harm. He will also address his nonprofit’s collaboration with the World Health Organization and others to end violence against children, an issue he and his wife Meghan outlined on their recent trip to Colombia.