The Royal Family publicly wished Prince Harry a Happy Birthday on Sunday in a move that surprised some royal commentators.
The statement, complete with a picture of a smiling Harry and an emoji of a birthday cake, said simply: “Wishing The Duke of Sussex a very happy 40th birthday today!”
The Kensington Royal account for the Prince and Princess of Wales retweeted the earlier happy birthday post from the royal family, with a message that read: “Wishing a Happy 40th Birthday to The Duke of Sussex!”
Harry, who lives in California, spent his birthday with the Duchess of Sussex and their children Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.
When the Royal Family social media account failed to mark Harry’s birthday in 2023, Buckingham Palace said public birthday wishes were sent on social media only to “working royals'”.
The Duke of Sussex was heard admitting that he had not been contacted by his family at the 2023 Invictus Games in Germany when asked by a fan about his birthday.
Royal expert and historian Rafe Heydel-Mankoo told GB News: “It is entirely in keeping with the established convention laid down in the late Queen’s reign. If you are a working royal, then you get annual birthday greetings as desired on social media.
“But if you’re a non-working royal like Prince Harry, then only the major milestone birthdays are acknowledged. And actually Meghan herself got a 40th birthday greeting in 2021 after they had split, and after that infamous and horrendous Oprah Winfrey interview.”
Former royal reporter Michael Cole told GB News: “The big surprise…is that the Prince and Princess of Wales added their birthday good wishes to those of Buckingham Palace.
“Now there’s been none of that for at least two years. So what should we read into that? Well I would say it is definitely not an olive branch.”
He added that the brothers are “still at war” and described the gesture as merely “obliging to do the right thing” in acknowledging Harry’s milestone birthday.
Meanwhile, sources told PEOPLE in July that Harry’s attempts to connect with his father and brother through calls, texts, and letters have gone unanswered.
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The brothers last appeared together publicly after Queen Elizabeth’s death in September 2022, when they met mourners outside Windsor Castle with their wives.
The pair attended the funeral of their uncle, Lord Robert Fellowes however eyewitnesses said the pair did not speak to each other.
