Meghan Markle Receives First 37th Birthday Gift As A Royal

Meghan Markle just received her first 37th birthday gift as an official member of the royal family.

According to Express, animal rights organization PETA sent the Duchess of Sussex a vegan leather handbag designed by Alexandra K. Elisa Allen, the director of PETA, confirmed the news during a recent interview.

“PETA believes this animal-friendly bag is absolutely perfect for the Duchess, as she is mostly vegan and cares about animals and the environment – in sharp contrast to the leather industry, which, in partnership with the meat trade, kills over one billion animals every year,” Allen said.

“Chances are that this gorgeous handbag will inspire the Duchess to embrace vegan fashion and leave all animal skins out of her wardrobe, as she’s already done with fur. PETA hopes the gift will encourage the royal family and its fans alike to embrace compassionate brands like Alexandra K and to steer clear of cruelly obtained animal skins,” Allen added.

Markle’s vegan leather handbag features a zipper on its middle section, three huge compartments, and a buckle that holds the bag together. On the front of the bag is a small gold badge with the words “this bag is animal cruelty-free and vegan” on it.

Markle previously revealed that she is vegan and said that she’s a huge fan of vegan-friendly products. During a 2016 interview with Women's Health magazine, she said, “When I’m filming, I’m conscious of what I eat. I try to eat vegan during the week and then have a little bit more flexibility with what I dig into on the weekends. But at the same time, it’s all about balance.”

Earlier this year, multiple sources revealed that Markle has also encouraged Prince Harry to embrace a healthier lifestyle. Since he started dating the former actress, Prince Harry has cut down on his meat, carbs, and alcohol intake.