Meghan Markle receives a heartfelt surprise from British Airways crew ahead of her wedding anniversary

Meghan Markle received a touching and unexpected gesture from British Airways cabin crew during her journey back to the United States on Sunday, just ahead of her eighth wedding anniversary with Prince Harry.

The in-flight surprise

The flight attendants aboard BA 269 presented the Duchess of Sussex, 44, with a handwritten card, a bottle of champagne, and British sweets intended for Harry and their two children — Prince Archie, seven, and Princess Lilibet, four.

The card, covered in crew signatures and personal notes and dated 18 May, read: "Dearest Harry and Meghan, Wishing you a wonderful wedding anniversary, With love, The whole British Airways family."

A source close to the Duchess told People: "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."

Meghan expressed her appreciation publicly via Instagram Stories, writing: "Thanks to this amazing flight crew for all the love yesterday! Appreciate all your memories and kind words," alongside a Union Jack emoji and a tag for the airline.

The Geneva visit

Meghan had been travelling home from Switzerland, where earlier that Sunday she attended the unveiling of the Lost Screen Memorial at Place des Nations in Geneva, held alongside the 79th World Health Assembly.

The installation, created by the Sussexes' Archewell Philanthropies in partnership with The Parents' Network, features 50 illuminated lightboxes displaying the phone lock screens of young people who died as a result of online violence and digital harm.

Meghan delivered a speech calling for global action at the ceremony, joined by WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, health officials, and bereaved families.

The anniversary celebrations

Upon returning to their Montecito, California home, the couple celebrated the milestone with their children. Meghan documented the festivities on Instagram Stories, sharing footage of Archie and Lilibet singing "Happy anniversary to Mama and Papa" to the tune of Happy Birthday.

The celebrations featured a recreation of the lemon elderflower cake served at their 2018 Windsor wedding, with the couple photographed blowing out candles together.

Harry gifted Meghan a penguin sculpture referencing costumes they had worn to their 2017 engagement party, whilst Archie and Lilibet also presented their parents with handmade gifts.

Meghan marked the occasion further by sharing two Instagram carousels of previously unseen photographs from their wedding day, captioned simply: "Eight years ago today."