Meghan Markle 39th Birthday Plans: Duchess May Want 'Change Of Scenery,' Expert Says

Meghan Markle may celebrate her upcoming 39th birthday with a road trip.

On Tuesday, the Duchess of Sussex will be turning 39 years old. And while Prince Harry's wife has not revealed how she plans to mark the occasion, royal expert Katie Nicholl, author of "Harry and Meghan," suggested that the duchess may want a "change of scenery."

"It's been a very stressful time for Meghan, so it wouldn't surprise me at all if she does actually decide to just go on a road trip and have a change of scenery," Nicholl told Entertainment Tonight.

Nicholl explained that Markle and Prince Harry have not left the Los Angeles they're currently residing in since the start of the coronavirus outbreak more than a few times and haven't met up with their friends.

"I mean, they've been at the house that they're renting ever since early March now," she continued. "They really haven't been out much at all. They haven't seen their friends. They very much been in self-isolation and on lockdown, and it wouldn't surprise me if she just actually needs a change of scenery."

Nicholl noted that Markle hasn't had the easiest time lately, especially as her legal battle with The Mail on Sunday and its publisher continues. The duchess lost the first stage of her court battle and agreed to pay almost $90,000 in legal fees. The royal expert that a road trip, possibly with Oprah Winfrey, may give the duchess a much-needed break.

"There have been court cases, now this explosive book which has really seen them come under fire -- so, yeah, I would say the best thing is probably to get away for a couple of days if they can, and apparently that is what she's thinking of doing, taking a road trip, possibly with Oprah and just getting some time out," Nicholl said.

"I think if they're going to go anywhere, it likely will be a road trip. They're not traveling," she continued. "They're not coming over to the U.K. for this Summit as planned. They don't want to travel, so if they're going to go and get away a bit, it will be a road trip."

In another interview, Nicholl shared that Prince Harry and Markle are having a hard time with regards to their privacy in Los Angeles. She said she believes that this has something to do with their security.

Nicholl noted that the "gentleman's agreement between the press and the palace" in the U.K. that prevented paparazzi from releasing photos taken of members of the royal family during their private time. Apparently, there is no similar agreement in the U.S.

On July 23, the Sussexes filed an invasion of privacy lawsuit after a photo of them with their son, Archie, in their backyard leaked. However, the defendants were not named because the couple could not identify who took the photos. They believed the snaps were taken using drones and telephoto lenses.