**Meghan Markle Shares Heartfelt July 4th Tradition Rooted in Early Romance With Prince Harry**
The Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, has taken to social media to shed light on an intimate Independence Day tradition that began with Prince Harry during the earliest stages of their relationship. Amid many royal headlines and a bustling family life in California, the Sussexes are revealing more glimpses into the personal customs that tie their family together across the globe.
In a recent Instagram post, Meghan recounted how their budding romance in 2016 intersected with the American holiday. Describing the day with warmth, she shared that Prince Harry marked their second date—on US Independence Day—by surprising her with patriotic cupcakes. The now-iconic treats not only celebrated their courtship but have also since evolved into an annual family tradition incorporating the couple’s two children, Archie and Lilibet.
“On our second date, which happened to fall on the 4th of July, Harry brought me cupcakes. Now, years later, Archie and Lili have become part of that tradition,” Meghan wrote, accompanying a snapshot of seven meticulously decorated cupcakes. She ended her message with well wishes to her followers: “May your day be as sweet as these cupcakes.”
Expanding on the family’s holiday rituals, Meghan appeared in a short video shared by her lifestyle brand, As Ever, where she could be seen in her kitchen preparing festive fruit platters. The brand, which Meghan relaunched earlier this year, has become a creative outlet for her—frequently featuring glimpses of her home life and personal celebrations with her children and husband.
The video, which was captioned “Happy 4th of July!” on As Ever’s Instagram, further showcased Meghan’s hands-on approach to holiday hosting. She was seen arranging seasonal fruits and homemade jams, all presented with a sense of ease and joy reflective of California’s summer ambiance. The choice to highlight these personal moments suggests the couple’s emphasis on cultivating new traditions in their home country, away from the UK’s royal spotlight.
This insight into the Duke and Duchess’ domestic life comes as Meghan’s entrepreneurial ventures continue to flourish. Earlier this week, the Duchess unveiled her latest offering: a Napa Valley rosé that was met with an enthusiastic response, reportedly selling out within the hour. Described as having “gentle minerality and notes of stone fruit,” the wine joins a growing movement of celebrity-led lifestyle brands, though it is currently available exclusively to US consumers.
Since stepping back from their royal roles in January 2020, Harry and Meghan have made California’s Montecito neighbourhood their home and central base for raising their young family. The transition from active UK royal duties to a more private, American lifestyle has been marked by both public scrutiny and new opportunities, with personal milestones now often shared directly via Meghan’s social media.
The couple’s decision to relocate and their subsequent openness about family traditions and challenges have spurred continued public and media interest. Relations with the wider royal family remain a subject of fascination. In a recent candid interview, Prince Harry reiterated his hope for reconciliation with his father, King Charles III, and brother, the Prince of Wales. He expressed concern for his father’s wellbeing and acknowledged ongoing difficulties in re-establishing contact.
Despite such tensions, Harry and Meghan’s efforts to build a nurturing and joyous environment for their children parallel their evolving public image—one balancing both royal heritage and Californian familial warmth.
As Meghan and Harry continue to chart their own path through a blend of family values, business ventures, and occasional public candour, their shared traditions—rooted in simple gestures like a box of cupcakes—offer both a touch of nostalgia and a nod to the future they are shaping for their children.
This evolving independence from royal duties and growing emphasis on private, meaningful rituals suggests the Sussexes’ journey remains as closely watched as ever, both in the UK and abroad.