Meghan Markle's Pregnancy News Was Announced on Sarah Ferguson's Birthday

(Image credit: Getty Images)

published 15 October 2018

Well...at least they gave her the weekend? Fresh off the glorious day that was her daughter Princess Eugenie's wedding, Sarah Ferguson was probably all ready to celebrate her 59th birthday on Monday—until the Palace announced Meghan Markle's pregnancy news. On Fergie's birthday. Now, I wouldn't be overly thrilled about this if I were Fergie, especially given that Harry and Meghan broke the news to the royal family on Eugenie's wedding day and kinda-sorta-definitely overshadowed her daughter's big moment...but maybe Fergie is less petty than I am? Here's hoping.

Don't get me wrong, I'm sure Fergie is happy about Meghan and Harry's big news! (I mean, how could you not be?) But also, this was probably meant to be Fergie's week. Not only did she get to be the mother of the bride for the very first time Friday, showing up resplendent in emerald and glowing with pride, she also helped host Saturday's festival/fun fair festivities, just in time for her birthday on Monday. Considering that Fergie has never been shy about wanting the spotlight for herself and for her daughters, there's probably a part of her (even a small part!) that is like, Really, guys? Now? Really?

Also, maybe Fergie chose to congratulate the parents-to-be in private (...at her daughter's wedding, no less), but she hasn't said a word about Meghan's pregnancy on her social media page, though she's posted three times this morning already. (It's just gone lunchtime in the U.K., for context.)

Andrew and I are proud to welcome Jack to the York family #wedding @TheDukeOfYork pic.twitter.com/L6Jrf3NOQXOctober 15, 2018

So proud of Eugenie #wedding @TheDukeOfYork pic.twitter.com/K9BD9NJQcuOctober 15, 2018

Thank you so much for my wonderful dress @emanuelungaropr @JadGhandour pic.twitter.com/eH5TNUyc2eOctober 15, 2018

I mean, Fergie, nobody would blame you for being a little bit miffed. Even though Eugenie's wedding was the first time since May that the entire royal family has been together, and Meghan and Harry probably had to share the news then. Even though you're absolutely, definitely, totally happy for Meghan and Harry and their no doubt adorable child. Even so!

Jenny is the Digital Director at Marie Claire. A graduate of Leeds University, and a native of London, she moved to New York in 2012 to attend the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. She was the first intern at Bustle when it launched in 2013 and spent five years building out its news and politics department. In 2018 she joined Marie Claire, where she held the roles of Deputy Digital Editor and Director of Content Strategy before becoming Digital Director. Working closely with Marie Claire's exceptional editorial, audience, commercial, and e-commerce teams, Jenny oversees the brand's digital arm, with an emphasis on driving readership. When she isn't editing or knee-deep in Google Analytics, you can find Jenny writing about television, celebrities, her lifelong hate of umbrellas, or (most likely) her dog, Captain. In her spare time, she writes fiction: her first novel, the thriller EVERYONE WHO CAN FORGIVE ME IS DEAD, was published with Minotaur Books (UK) and Little, Brown (US) in February 2024 and became a USA Today bestseller. She has also written extensively about developmental coordination disorder, or dyspraxia , which she was diagnosed with when she was nine.