Here's Why Meghan Markle Is Reportedly Keeping Her Birthday Plans Low Key

On Sunday (August 4), Meghan Markle will celebrate her 38th birthday, and naturally, there are a ton of rumors flying around regarding how the Duchess of Sussex will mark her big day. Last year, Markle celebrated her 37th birthday at the wedding of Prince Harry's friends, Charlie Van Straubenzee and Daisy Jenks, but this year, she reportedly wants a low-key celebration with her husband and son. Of course, it seems like anything the royals do invites speculation and drama—whether or not it actually exists—and this occasion is no exception.

The initial rumors about Markle's birthday plans started off chill enough, with The Sun reporting on June 15 that Markle and Prince Harry would be taking a trip to Scotland to join the queen and Prince Philipp at their Balmoral estate, where Queen Elizabeth would hold a party in Markle's honor. "The queen and Prince Philip adore the couple and, of course, their new great-grandson Archie, and they have invited them to Balmoral for a few days," a source told The Sun. "It is a testament to Meghan that she has been given this invite. It's a huge honor."

But, according to royal expert and commentator Omid Scobie on Friday (August 2), there's been a change in plans: The couple will instead be celebrating her birthday quietly at Frogmore Cottage as a family. "The Sussexes have been so busy this year that I can imagine her birthday will simply involve a well-deserved day of rest with a few friends—and, of course, precious moments with Archie," he said.

The Sun's latest report, published Friday, corroborated Scobie to some degree: There will be a "low-key birthday celebration" at Frogmore Cottage, the tabloid reported, and it won't include a star-studded guest list like Markle's baby shower in February.

Apparently, that's a PR decision based on the super-lavish shower's subsequent backlash. So a party on Lake Como with the Clooneys? That's reportedly out. "The Clooneys clan will be in Villa Oleandra on Lake Como and the Sussexes will not want to be seen enjoying more of their lavish hospitality after the PR disaster backlash post the U.S. baby shower," an insider told The Sun.

There's also a report that Markle isn't inviting Kate Middleton and Prince William to her birthday party. (Yes, there is alleged royal birthday party invitation drama.) "It is unlikely that the Cambridges will be invited to Meghan's 38th birthday on Sunday," a source told The Sun. However, apparently it's not because they're on bad terms—they've been spending a lot of time together. Markle is just intent on keeping her low-key day chill.

Markle could very justifiably just wanting to be having a small birthday gathering at home with Harry, Archie and a few friends and family without there being some dramatic PR reason behind it—she's in the spotlight all the time—but as we know, the royal rumor mill never rests. We'll definitely be keeping an eye out for any birthday posts from @sussexroyal on Sunday, though.

Originally Appeared on Glamour