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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Courtney Pochin

Princess Eugenie's unique birthday gift for 'dear' Meghan Markle that showed her support

Meghan Markle is celebrating her 41st today, and will no doubt be having a lovely day with her nearest and dearest.

She's likely to be showered with some wonderful presents to mark the special occasion - but she often prefers to turn her attention to others on her birthday.

Last year she was given a particularly unique gift by Prince Harry's cousin, Princess Eugenie.

This came after a period of unrest for the Royal Family, during which the Meghan and Prince Harry stepped down from their roles as full-time working royals and moved to the US.

Eugenie's gift was announced on Instagram and many believe it shows her support for the couple following the 'Megxit' controversy.

Eugenie gave Meghan a thoughtful gift (Samir Hussein/WireImage)

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On August 4, 2021, Meghan announced a 40x40 campaign, where she asked 40 women to donate 40 minutes of their time to mentor a woman who wanted to get back into the workplace after losing their job during the coronavirus pandemic.

The Duchess announced the initiative with a video featuring Hollywood actress Melissa McCarthy and they promised it would have a "ripple effect" as each person involved would ask 40 of their pals to take part.

Eugenie, 32, kindly agreed to take part and donate 40 minutes of her time for Meghan's birthday.

Speaking on Instagram last year, she said: "To celebrate dear Meghan's 40th birthday I'm contributing 40 minutes of mentorship to support women re-entering the workforce.

"In the past two years, tens of millions of women around the world have departed the workforce.

Meghan Markle in the 40x40 video (PA)

"If you can please join me and commit 40 minutes to community, service or mentorship."

The princess also shared some stickers on her Instagram story at the time, with one saying 'Happy Birthday' in rainbow lettering and a cartoon with a party hat on it.

Harry, Meghan, Eugenie and her husband Jack Brooksbank are known to be extremely close, both before and after the Sussexes left the UK.

Meghan and Harry offered up their home at Frogmore Cottage to Eugenie and Jack when they moved to the US, which became their first family home with baby August was born.

And last year wasn't the first time Meghan sought kindness as a birthday gift.

Back in 2014, to celebrate her 33rd birthday, she shared a post on her former lifestyle blog, The Tig, making a specific request of her readers.

She wrote: "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.

Eugenie and Harry have always been close (PA)

"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.

"I did. And it's never felt so good."

In another post in 2016, the former Suits actress explained that she also has a special birthday tradition that she got from her mum, Doria Ragland.

She told how her mum has always compared birthdays to "your own personal New Year" and as such they set their own resolutions for the coming year.

According to her blog, she always makes the same resolution and wishes for "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."

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