Inside Kate Middleton’s Private Birthday Party – And Why Meghan Markle Wasn’t There

Kate Middleton celebrated her 37th birthday last week with not one, but two parties. Both affairs were extremely low-key and intimate–, just as the Duchess of Cambridge wanted.

According to News.com.au, Kate Middleton kicked off her birthday celebrations with a private lunch at Anmer Hall, Prince William and Kate’s country home near Sandringham. Royal insiders reported that among the guests were Kate’s old friends from her college days and some of her children’s godparents.

On Jan. 9, Kate’s actual birthday, the Duchess of Cambridge opted to celebrate at home with just her children: Prince George, 5, Princess Charlotte, 3, and eight-month-old Louis. According to the Daily Mail, Prince William had an official engagement in the morning but made sure to go home to join his family for a simple tea party.

Strikingly missing from the celebrations was Meghan Markle. She and husband Prince Harry were also absent from the tea party at Kensington Palace. While Kate Middleton may have specifically requested to celebrate her 37th with just her closest friends and family, royal observers couldn’t help but wonder why Prince Harry and Meghan Markle weren’t part of her inner circle. Rumors of a royal rift between Kate and Meghan have been circulating for a while now, fueled by Prince Harry and Meghan’s decision not to live in Kensington Palace.

There have been reports that Kate did not invite Meghan to any of her birthday bashes, but these remain to be rumors. It is interesting to note that Meghan, who is currently pregnant with her first child, may be taking it easy before resuming her official duties after the holidays.

According to Elle, Prince Harry and Meghan are currently “taking a break” in their country home in Oxfordshire right after spending Christmas with Queen Elizabeth and the rest of the royal family.

This evening The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are attending the premiere of @Cirque du Soleil’s Totem – raising awareness and funds for @Sentebale‘s work supporting vulnerable children and young people affected by HIV in southern Africa. pic.twitter.com/LQLKS81kjC

— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) January 16, 2019

“The stories of the two Duchesses having a major ongoing feud are just overblown,” the royal insider said. “They have enormous respect for each other and are both devoted to representing Her Majesty in the humanitarian and charitable work they do.”

Kate and Meghan were last spotted together during Christmas Day service at Sandringham. They were said to be in good spirits and bonded over board games.