MEGHAN Markle was cropped out of the photo used by King Charles and Prince Williams to wish Prince Harry a happy birthday.
In what appeared to be a brief end to hostilities, the Duke of Sussex’s 40th birthday was marked on the Royal Family’s social media alongside a photo of him beaming.
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On X, the note and picture was shared by The Prince and Princess of Wales account with the message: “Wishing a Happy 40th Birthday to The Duke of Sussex.”
Tellingly, it did not include their personal “W & C” sign-off — but
the two messages were The Firm’s first nod to Duke of Sussex
Harry’s birthday in two years.
The photo picked was taken in Dublin back in 2018, when Harry – donning a grey suit and white shirt – was still a working royal.
It was his and Meghan Markle’s visit overseas as a married couple.
But the original snap shows Meghan, 43, sitting next to him.
It appears she was cropped out of the picture by the photographer at the time.
Megxit followed in 2020, since when Harry has hurled insults
and accusations at his family, including in a Netflix docuseries
and his 2023 biography Spare.
Last year the royals declined to publicly celebrate Harry’s 39th birthday.
Harry was heard admitting he hadn’t heard from his family when asked by a well-wisher at the 2023 Invictus Games in Germany.
The royals’ silence came after Harry released his memoir Spare, which blasted his entire family – including William, Kate and Camilla.
This year the prince is marking his 40th birthday with family and friends at his £11million mansion in California.
He will then jet off for a “weekend getaway” with a few close friends, The Sun revealed this week.
It is not yet known where Harry will go or who will join him on the trip.
But the group is unlikely to include his brother William – as he and Harry have not spoken for more than two years.
And Harry’s wife Meghan and children Archie and Lilibet will stay at home while he heads off with his mates.
The band of brothers could include Harry’s polo BFF, his “second dad” and a “party animal” pal.
Bday message on olive branch… or break in hostilities?
by Arthur Edwards, Sun Royal Photographer
I’M almost sure today’s surprise birthday greetings to Harry from the King and Queen as well as William and Catherine IS an olive branch.
Okay, they may not have put their signatures on the 11-word message but remember Harry’s birthday last year got totally ignored by his immediate family.
To me this latest development suggests warm wishes and maybe be a glint of a future kiss and make up.
This week, William had some great news. Catherine is now cancer-free. In their video they looked so happy and relieved.
Perhaps William is feeling just maybe this feud should come to an end.
But at the same time, goodwill has got to come from California as well.
Harry is due to inherit a lot of money from the Queen Mother’s estate.
Perhaps he may think that it’s time to perhaps come back and be welcomed instead of shunned by his father and his brother.
The photo the royals issued on Harry’s birthday is a lovely picture.
It’s the Harry I remember, all smiles and looking cheeky.
He’s got a party lined up. I hope he will let his hair down a bit.
Maybe he will get carried away and pick up the phone to England.
Who knows? Perhaps the Royal Family can sort it out.
I do know the King still loves his son deeply and I’m sure in his heart William has great memories of growing up with his brother.
But let’s see what the royals do for Meghan when it is her birthday next August.
Then we really will know if this really is a genuine olive branch – or just a break in hostilities.
Harry is reportedly asking former aides to help him plan a comeback from his US exile and spend more time in Britain.
The Duke of Sussex is said to be consulting people “from his old life” after growing frustrated with American PR experts.
Harry reportedly plans to spend more time in the UK in a bid to repair his relationship with King Charles.
The strategy could see a “rehabilitated” Harry stage a partial return to royal life.
But insiders said Harry and Meghan are not seeking a permanent return from California.
A source told the Mail: “Harry is turning away from all sorts of Hollywood publicists and is seeking counsel from his old friends and associates.
“He is clearly reaching out thinking, ‘I need to do something different because what I’m doing is clearly not working’.”
Prince Harry’s £8million gift for his 40th birthday
PRINCE Harry is set to inherit an £8million gift on his 40th birthday from the Queen Mother.
The late Queen Elizabeth began collecting a sizable trust fund for the Duke of Sussex, who will celebrate his special milestone on September 15, when he was just 10-years-old.
A former Palace aide told The Times: “There was a trust fund set up at the time.
“It was a way in which the Queen Mother could set aside money for when her great-grandchildren were older and a way of passing a slice of her estate down in a tax-efficient way.
“It was a way in which some of her estate could be ring-fenced for them.”