Britain’s Prince William sent birthday wishes to his younger brother Harry, who turned 40 on Sunday, despite their well-known rift.
Since Harry and his wife Meghan Markle stepped away from royal duties and moved to California in 2020, tensions between Harry and his family have been high. The brothers, once close after the tragic loss of their mother Princess Diana in 1997, reportedly haven’t spoken in two years.
A post from William and his wife Catherine’s official social media account read: “Wishing a Happy 40th Birthday to The Duke of Sussex!” using Harry’s royal title. This followed a message from the royal family’s account that said, “Wishing The Duke of Sussex a very happy 40th birthday today!” accompanied by a photo of Harry smiling and a cake emoji.
This birthday message was notable as the first public acknowledgment of Harry’s birthday by the royal family since 2021, according to UK media.
Despite the strained relations, Harry, who is a father of two, shared with the BBC that he’s feeling optimistic about entering his forties. “I was anxious about 30, I’m excited about 40,” he said. Becoming a father, he added, has given him a new outlook, saying, “Being a dad is one of life’s greatest joys, and it’s made me more determined to work toward a better world.”
William and Harry were last seen together at Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral in 2022, though they kept their distance at their father King Charles III’s coronation in 2023. In his memoir Spare, published in January 2023, Harry described William as both his “beloved brother” and “arch-nemesis.” Royal watchers don’t foresee a reconciliation anytime soon.
