American Music Awards 2026 host Paula Abdul expressed her gratitude to Meghan Markle for choosing her song in her Instagram story, celebrating her eighth anniversary with Prince Harry.
The post, featuring 24 unseen photos, was set to the track of Abdul’s iconic song, “Forever Your Girl”.
Paula Abdul reacts to Meghan Markle using her song to celebrate an anniversary with Prince Harry
In a rare moment of solidarity and appreciation among high-profile celebrities, Abdul told E! News that she was genuinely humbled by Markle’s choice of song for sharing her special day.
“I was in shock, and I was so touched,” Paula told E! News at the 2026 American Music Awards on May 25. “I never take anything for granted with my career, I never have. And so, I’m always humbled to have little gems like that appear in my life. It’s very touching.”
“I just texted her back,” Paula added, “saying, ‘What beautiful pictures and thank you so much for using my song.'”
Abdul also wrote publicly: “So sweet to hear ‘Forever Your Girl’ over these beautiful memories. Wishing you both continued love, laughter, and a very Happy Anniversary! XoP.” She also texted Markle personally to thank her for the choice of song.
The couple’s children, Archie, 7, and Lilibet, 4, also shared in the celebrations, watching their dad surprise their mom with a lemon and elderflower cake – the same flavor profile of their 2018 wedding cake. Beyond throwback wedding photos, the carousel also gave fans a glimpse into Markle and Prince Harry’s family life in California.
One of the photos highlighted a bronze sculpture of two penguins snuggled together, which Harry surprised Markle with. The sculpture is a fond reference to an engagement party Markle threw for her inner circle, where they dressed up in penguin onesies because the animals mate for life.
WHAT ARE THE MOST MEMORABLE MOMENTS OF THE COUPLE’S EIGHT-YEAR JOURNEY TOGETHER?
Originally reported by Sreemanti Sengupta for Reality Tea
