As Mother’s Day approaches in the U.S., the royal family offers fans a glimpse into how the British royals honor the special occasion. This year, both Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle shared their personal takes on celebrating Mother’s Day — albeit in their distinct, individual ways. With the UK’s Mother’s Day taking place earlier than in the U.S., the two royal women posted heartfelt tributes to motherhood, but it’s clear their celebrations were separate, as has often been the case since Meghan’s marriage to Prince Harry.
Kate Middleton’s Tribute to Mother Nature
Princess Kate, the Princess of Wales, opted to use the occasion to highlight something close to her heart — the beauty and nurturing power of Mother Nature. Instead of a traditional family photo, Kate posted a moving video of nature scenes, showcasing flowers in bloom, rugged English coastlines, and plants enduring harsh winters. The short clip was a poetic tribute to the resilience and nurturing power of nature, reflecting her thoughts on motherhood.
In her caption, Kate wrote: “Over the past year, nature has been our sanctuary. This Mother’s Day, let us celebrate Mother Nature and recognize how our bond with the natural world can help not only nurture our inner selves but remind us too of the role we play within the rich tapestry of life.” With this message, Kate highlighted the deep connection she feels with nature, urging her followers to reflect on how nature nurtures and sustains life, much like the role of a mother.
Meghan Markle’s Family Tradition
Meanwhile, Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, took a more personal and family-centered approach to her Mother’s Day post. Sharing a photo of a beautifully decorated orange cake, she reflected on the family tradition of celebrating “Mothering Sunday” in the UK. The vibrant image of the cake, adorned with lemons, seemed to symbolize her warm and loving approach to motherhood and family life.
In her caption, Meghan wrote simply: “Our family tradition. Mothering Sunday in the UK 🍋.” The simplicity of the post reflects her more laid-back style, focused on family traditions and the joy of sharing meaningful moments with her loved ones. It’s clear that Meghan cherishes the opportunity to connect with family, even if her celebrations aren’t in line with royal traditions.
A Separate Royal Celebration
While Kate and Meghan both celebrated Mother’s Day in their own ways, it’s clear that the two women didn’t share the occasion together. This is no surprise, given the ongoing distance between the Sussexes and the rest of the royal family, which has been particularly noticeable since Harry and Meghan stepped back from their royal duties in 2020. After their departure from the royal spotlight, the couple has charted their own path, leading to separate celebrations during significant family holidays like Mother’s Day.
Despite the distance, however, Meghan and Harry have still shown support for Kate and the rest of the royal family during difficult times. Last year, following Kate’s cancer diagnosis, Meghan and Harry publicly expressed their well wishes, and sources confirmed that they reached out privately to both Kate and Prince William, offering their support.
Celebrating on Their Own Terms
Though it’s evident that the two women celebrated in different ways this year, both Kate and Meghan’s tributes reflect their own values. Kate’s nod to nature shows her deep connection to the world around her, while Meghan’s focus on family traditions underscores the importance of personal connections and familial bonds. Despite the differences in their celebrations, both royal women have managed to carve out a way to honor the spirit of Mother’s Day on their own terms.
As Meghan and Harry continue to define their role outside of the royal family, Kate and Prince William remain central to the monarchy, carrying on royal traditions and public duties. Yet, through their individual approaches to Mother’s Day, both women remind us that motherhood can be celebrated in countless ways, and the royal family’s celebrations, though separated, remain filled with heartfelt tributes to the important role of mothers.
