It's no secret that Prince Harry has a strained relationship with members of the royal family. Things have been tense between him and his brother, Prince William, and father, King Charles, for years. But both Charles and William shocked royal fans by sending public birthday messages to Harry as he turned 40.
To briefly recap on the complicated estrangement, Prince Harry stepped down as a senior member of the British royal family in January 2020. The move came after ongoing reports of conflict involving himself and his wife, Meghan Markle, Prince William, King Charles, and Kate Middleton. Additionally, the relentless British paparazzi put Prince Harry's family's safety at risk.
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King Charles' social media accounts shared a birthday tribute for Prince Harry.
On September 15, 2024, Prince Harry celebrated his 40th birthday. The official royal family social media accounts, controlled by King Charles' office at Buckingham Place, shared a black-and-white picture of him with a message. " Wishing The Duke of Sussex a very happy 40th birthday today!" the Instagram update read.
Prince William and Kate Middleton also sent a birthday message.
Meanwhile, the Prince and Princess of Wales' joint X account re-shared the official royal family's message. The update wasn't long. However, it read, "Wishing a Happy 40th Birthday to The Duke of Sussex!"
Interestingly, the gestures marked a first since 2021.
Prince William's and King Charles' social media shoutouts marked a first in three years. It's the first time both publicly acknowledged Prince Harry's birthday since 2021, People pointed out. However, it's unclear what prompted the sudden change of heart.
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The birthday messages for Harry were also surprising because of royal protocol.
Typically, the royal family's social media accounts only sent public birthday wishes to other working royals. Exceptions are sometimes made for major birthdays. Perhaps the switch-up was because Prince Harry turned 40 this year.
Meanwhile, Meghan Markle also penned a birthday tribute for Prince Harry.
Alongside a video montage featuring her husband, Meghan took to Instagram with a heartfelt message for Prince Harry's birthday.
"Happy 40th Birthday to Prince Harry! A devoted father, a passionate advocate for mental health, and a champion for positive change around the world," she declared. "Your strength, compassion, and dedication inspire us all. Here’s to many more years of making an impact and creating a brighter future for your family and the world! ❤️."
