Prince Harry and Meghan Markle celebrate their eighth anniversary on May 19, 2026; The wedding cake by Claire Ptak of London-based bakery Violet Cakes in Windsor Castle for the royal wedding of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry on May 19, 2018.Credit : Meghan Markle/Instagram

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Meghan Markle and Prince Harry marked their eighth wedding anniversary on May 19
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex celebrated at home with meaningful gifts and cake, alongside their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet
The cake was elderflower and lemon, the same flavor profile London bakery owner Claire Ptak used for their actual wedding cake on the day of their 2018 nuptials

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry celebrated their eighth wedding anniversary on Tuesday, May, 19, and they marked the occasion with a sweet callback to their wedding day.

After kicking off the day by revealing some previously unseen photos from their 2018 nuptials, Meghan, 44, followed up later by sharing a glimpse of her and Harry’s low-key day. The couple celebrated at home with their children, Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, who turns 5 next month.

On her Instagram story, Meghan shared a clip of Harry, 41, presenting a cake with candles, as he and the kids said, “Happy anniversary to Mama!”

“And Papa!” Meghan chimed in.

Prince Harry celebrates his eighth wedding anniversary with Meghan Markle on May 19, 2018.Meghan Markle/Instagram

The Duchess of Sussex also shared a shot of her and Harry sharing a kiss. The caption on the photo confirmed that the confection was lemon and elderflower, the same flavor profile London bakery owner Claire Ptak used for their actual wedding cake on the day of their 2018 nuptials.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle celebrate their eighth wedding anniversary on May 19, 2018.Meghan Markle/Instagram

Harry and Meghan’s wedding cake offered a modern twist on royal tradition, departing from the classic tiered design. It was presented at their luncheon reception hosted by Harry’s grandmother, the late Queen Elizabeth, in St. George’s Hall at Windsor Castle, following their ceremony at the nearby St. George’s Chapel.

Ptak spoke with reporters ahead of the big day, marveling, “I can’t tell you how delighted am to be chosen to make Prince Harry and Ms. Markle’s wedding cake… Knowing that they really share the same values as I do about food provenance, sustainability, seasonality and most importantly flavor, makes this the most exciting event to be a part of.”

The wedding cake by Claire Ptak of London-based bakery Violet Cakes in Windsor Castle for the royal wedding of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry on May 19, 2018.Steve Parsons – WPA Pool/Getty

She didn’t know it then, but her selection as Harry and Meghan’s wedding day baker would lead to a full-circle moment years later, as Ptak once worked as a pastry chef under the legendary Alice Waters at Chez Panisse in Berkeley, Calif. Seven years after working with her former apprentice, Meghan would welcome Waters on the season one finale of her Netflix lifestyle show, With Love, Meghan.

The duchess was awestruck to be cooking alongside the culinary icon, telling her, “I feel like you’re watching me fall in love. It’s very awkward. I’m so sorry. I’m blushing.”

“You are speaking my language, but it’s a language I learned from you,” she continued.

Given Meghan’s passion for all things culinary, it’s no surprise that food was an essential part of her and Harry’s nuptials. Following their wedding luncheon, where 600 guests enjoyed nibbles and small dishes meant to be eaten standing up while in conversation, the couple moved on to their second, more private evening reception.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry depart Windsor Castle to attend their private wedding reception at Frogmore House on May 19, 2018.Steve Parsons/Getty

The intimate party, thrown by Prince Charles at Frogmore House, pared the guest list down to 200 for a sit-down three-course dinner that included baked potato, pork belly and a meringue for dessert, a royal wedding guest told PEOPLE at the time.

For drinks, the attendee said that friends and family were offered a cocktail at the bar that was named for the newly married couple and included ginger in it as a reference to Harry’s famous red hair.

Meghan’s anniversary post included shots from the intimate reception, remembering their fun-filled night “eight years ago today…” The duchess revealed in their 2022 Netflix docuseries, Harry & Meghan, that she intentionally chose an upbeat song for their first dance. She recalled the moment as being “just spinning like a whirlwind,” and said it was a blast.