Prince Harry marked his 40th birthday on September 15th with a public display of well wishes from his brother Prince William and sister-in-law Kate Middleton. Taking to social media, Kensington Palace shared a message, “Wishing a Happy 40th Birthday to The Duke of Sussex!” This message was mirrored from an earlier birthday message sent by King Charles, although with slightly different wording. It read, “Wishing the Duke of Sussex a very happy 40th birthday today!”
While a friend of the King’s hinted at a potential phone call between the two later that day, the Daily Beast reported that the gesture was primarily a formality. According to a source close to William and Kate, Prince William has “no interest” in rekindling his relationship with Prince Harry. The friend attributed this stance to Harry’s recent memoir, “Spare,” which reportedly contained revelations that William deemed unforgivable. Additionally, the source cited Kate’s recent cancer diagnosis as a factor in William’s current focus on his family and royal duties.
The message sent by William and Kate was noticeably devoid of personal initials, suggesting it wasn’t a personal message. A source close to the royal family confirmed the message was “just a company thing. Happy birthday, blah blah blah.” This lack of personal touch further reinforces the reported disconnect between Harry and the rest of the family.
The Daily Beast’s source went on to explain that the social media message served a strategic purpose, stating, “It makes sense for Kensington Palace and Buckingham Palace to align themselves on a little bit of essentially routine messaging around Harry. It shows William is willing to respect his father’s seniority and do what is asked of him.”
The strained relationships between Harry and the rest of the royal family have reportedly been simmering for months, with the publication of “Spare” further fueling the tensions. King Charles has reportedly stopped taking Harry’s calls over the summer, highlighting the deep rift between the two. While the birthday wishes served as a public display of acknowledgment, they seem to be a far cry from the genuine familial connection once shared between Harry and the rest of the royal family.
