London: On Prince Harry’s 40th birthday, King Charles and Prince William publicly extended their well-wishes for the first time in three years via social media posts. However, the birthday messages sparked controversy as they featured a photograph of Harry from a 2018 visit to Dublin, but notably omitted Meghan Markle, who was present in the original image.
This omission drew attention to the ongoing tensions between Meghan and the Royal Family. The birthday greetings, posted on platforms X and Instagram, included a photo of Harry alone with the caption, “Wishing The Duke of Sussex a very happy 40th birthday today!”
Royal officials clarified that the posts adhered to tradition, which involves acknowledging significant birthdays of non-working royals. This tradition was followed for Meghan’s 40th birthday and Prince Andrew’s 60th, despite the controversies surrounding them.
The relationship between Harry and the Royal Family has been strained since the Sussexes stepped back from royal duties in 2020. Public birthday messages, while seemingly amicable, come after a period of silence from the royal officials who have been cautious in addressing matters related to Harry and Meghan. King Charles is reportedly open to reconciliation but wary of further public scrutiny.
The relationship between Harry and his brother, Prince William, remains fractured, with the two having not communicated for over two years. Despite Harry’s desire to stay connected with the UK through charitable work, he has no plans to resume royal duties, complicating any potential reconciliation.
The royal family has denied claims that the photograph shared for Harry’s birthday was cropped to exclude Meghan. The image, originally taken during Harry and Meghan’s official trip to Dublin in 2018, was shared by both royal households. Buckingham Palace confirmed that the image was used in its original format, as received.
While some view the birthday post as a gesture of reconciliation, others believe it follows the royal tradition established by the late Queen Elizabeth II of acknowledging milestone birthdays of non-working royals. Fans welcomed the post, marking the first public acknowledgment of Harry’s birthday by the royal family since 2021.
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