Meghan Markle shared a mysterious birthday message on Instagram as Queen Camilla turned 78 – but two of the Duchess of Sussex’s pals have set the record straight on the post

Queen Camilla with Meghan in 2018(Image: Getty Images)

Two of Meghan Markle’s pals have set the record straight after she shared a cryptic birthday message as Queen Camilla turned 78. Taking to her Instagram stories earlier in the week, Meghan posted a video of her unboxing a crate of three bottles of wine from her lifestyle brand, As Ever.

Alongside the video, Meghan wrote: “Sending birthday love (both near and far) to my ladies,” alongside a heart emoji. At the time, it was unclear exactly who she was sending the bottles of wine to, but many speculated the message was intended for the Queen, who was marking her birthday just hours later.

Meghan showed a crate of her As Ever wine along with the caption: “Sending birthday love (both near and far) to my ladies”(Image: meghan/Instagram)

Meghan is believed to have bonded with Camilla when she first joined the royal fold, with the pair sharing a love of the arts and wine – before things are said to have gone sour with their relationship.

But it transpires that the message and gifts might not have been for Camilla after all.

That’s because Meghan’s pals Heather Dorak and Jamie Kern Lima later shared the same gift boxes on their Instagram stories, thanking Meghan for the birthday present.

Dorak, who is a close friend of the Duchess, shared a picture of the box with a sprig of lavender, adding: “You know how to make a friend feel special @meghan”.

While Jamie, who recently hosted Meghan on her podcast and recently turned 48, wrote on her Instagram: “@meghan thank you for the most magical birthday basket! Our friendship is a gift, as is your beautiful soul!”

A portrait to mark Queen Camilla’s 78th birthday (Image: PA Media)

It comes as Camilla celebrated her birthday with a new photo released of her smiling in the sunshine at her Wiltshire residence, Ray Mill House.

The image shows the Queen looking relaxed and wearing a turquoise dress in a Liberty fabric printed with a rainforest of toucans, lemurs and monkeys. Last year, Camilla was on duty on her birthday, attending the State Opening of Parliament at the King’s side. This year, she is said to be spending the day privately.

The King, who is still being treated for cancer, is known to have been buoyed by his wife’s support since his diagnosis last year.

The pair celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary at the start of April and have had a busy run of engagements, including hosting a state visit by the French president last week, ahead of their upcoming annual summer break to Scotland.

In the birthday portrait taken by photographer Chris Jackson earlier this month, Camilla can be seen wearing gold drop earrings, a delicate gold bracelet, as well as a gold ring composed of circular plaques on her pinky finger.

Also seen is her wedding band and her five-carat emerald-cut diamond engagement ring as she places her hands together while resting on the gate.