Meghan Markle Reportedly Furious as Serena Williams Declines Invite to 44th Birthday Bash

Tensions may be simmering in royal-adjacent Hollywood circles this week, as sources claim Meghan Markle was left “furious” after her longtime friend Serena Williams declined an invitation to her upcoming 44th birthday celebration in California.

According to insiders close to the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan had planned an intimate, high-profile gathering at her Montecito estate to celebrate her birthday on August 4th. The exclusive guest list reportedly included a blend of Hollywood elites, close friends, and powerful women Meghan has aligned with throughout her post-royal public life. One name at the top of that list: tennis legend Serena Williams.

The two women have shared a high-profile friendship over the years, with Meghan cheering Serena on at Wimbledon and Serena publicly defending Meghan during the height of royal controversies. Williams even attended Meghan’s royal wedding to Prince Harry in 2018 and was once considered part of her inner circle.

So what went wrong?

Multiple sources claim that Serena—now a full-time entrepreneur and mother of two—respectfully declined the invitation due to personal scheduling conflicts and her ongoing postpartum commitments. Williams gave birth to her second child, Adira, in 2023 and has since taken a step back from public events to focus on family and business ventures.

Still, according to insiders, Meghan didn’t take the news lightly.

“She was genuinely hurt,” one source close to the Sussexes said. “Serena has always been someone Meghan thought she could count on, especially during major life milestones.”

Others suggest the reaction may have been less about the absence and more about the message it may send. With Meghan reportedly seeking to rebuild her public image following a rocky few years marked by public criticism, project setbacks, and strained royal relations, a high-profile birthday gathering was seen by some as a “soft relaunch.”

“Having Serena there would’ve added prestige and sent a strong signal of loyalty and support,” one entertainment insider commented. “Without her, it changes the tone.”

It’s worth noting, however, that no official statement has been released by either camp, and neither Meghan nor Serena have publicly addressed the reported tension.

Supporters of Williams have defended her decision to prioritize her family, with many noting that friendships can evolve—and that not attending a birthday party doesn’t necessarily indicate a falling-out. “Serena has always been incredibly private,” one observer noted. “She’s not one to show up for optics.”

Others speculate that the pair may simply be growing apart, especially as they navigate very different phases of life—Serena as a mother and business mogul with a focus on legacy, and Meghan as a public figure attempting to reestablish her brand post-royalty.

Regardless of the reason, the absence of Serena Williams from Meghan Markle’s birthday celebration has added another layer to the public intrigue surrounding the Duchess’s inner circle—and what it might signal about shifting allegiances in Hollywood’s most-watched friendships.