Meghan Markle on March 19, 2026; Paula Abdul on Dec. 12, 2025.Credit : Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty; Harmony Gerber/Getty

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Meghan Markle got a surprise shoutout from Paula Abdul after posting one of her hit songs
The Duchess of Sussex posted behind-the-scenes photos from her wedding to Prince Harry in celebration of their anniversary on May 19, with one featuring Abdul’s hit “Forever Your Girl”
Abdul responded on her Instagram story, writing, “Wishing you both continued love, laughter and a very Happy Anniversary!”

Meghan Markle got a surprise shoutout from Paula Abdul after posting one of her hit songs this week.

On May 19, Meghan shared a series of Instagram posts celebrating her and Prince Harry’s eighth wedding anniversary with never-before-seen photos from their nuptials. One collection featured black and white portraits of the couple sharing quiet moments in the cloisters of St. George’s Chapel in Windsor, where they exchanged vows.

Meghan, 44, also added this post to her Instagram story, accompanied by Abdul’s 1989 hit “Forever Your Girl.”

The following day, Abdul, 63, shared the love right back, reposting the duchess on her own story.

“So sweet to hear ‘Forever Your Girl’ over these beautiful memories,” the singer wrote. “Wishing you both continued love, laughter and a very Happy Anniversary! XoP.”

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex after their wedding ceremony on May 19, 2018 in Windsor.Ben STANSALL / AFP via Getty

Meghan’s anniversary celebrations with Harry, 41, didn’t end with her throwback posts. The couple also channeled sweet moments from their history as they marked the milestone with their kids, Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 4.

They blew out candles on a lemon and elderflower cake, the same flavor profile London bakery owner Claire Ptak used for their actual wedding cake on the day of their 2018 nuptials.

And Harry surprised Meghan with a bronze sculpture of two penguins nestled closely together. Bronze material is the traditional symbol associated with eighth wedding anniversaries as a symbol of the marriage’s strength and durability, but it was the penguins that left Meghan speechless.

She explained to her children, “When mama and papa got engaged, we had a party with all of our friends, and we said, ‘Everyone wear an animal onesie.’ ”

“We were penguins,” she explained, showing a photo of herself and Harry dressed in matching penguin costumes. “Because we’re together for life.”

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry celebrated their eighth wedding anniversary with a bronze penguin statue and a recreation of their wedding cake.Meghan, Duchess of Sussex/Instagram (2)

The couple also received a surprisingly heartfelt gesture from a British Airways flight crew. In another Instagram post, Meghan revealed a handwritten note from the crew she traveled home with from Geneva, Switzerland, the day prior.

The card read, “Dearest Harry and Meghan, Wishing you a wonderful wedding anniversary, With love, The whole British Airways family.” Covered with signatures and personal notes, it was also marked “BA 269” and dated May 18.

A source close to the Duchess of Sussex told PEOPLE of the gesture, “Meghan’s flight crew was so lovely on her way back from Geneva. They all came to say happy anniversary and shared their memories of where they were on the day.”

“They wrote Harry and Meghan a card and gave them a bottle of champagne and British candies for Harry and the kids,” the source adds. “It was very special and so appreciated by Meghan, who wanted to publicly thank them. She was truly so touched.”