As Prince Harry’s 40th birthday plans take shape this weekend, many are wondering if this new milestone will be enough to thaw the icy relations with his family across the pond. Despite the ongoing tension between the Duke of Sussex and the rest of the Windsor clan, it seems one person—King Charles—isn’t ready to give up on reconnecting with his youngest son just yet.
Related: How Meghan Markle Celebrated Her 40th Birthday With Prince Harry
The Duke of Sussex turns 40 on September 15, 2024. According to royal insiders, the King is planning a surprise gesture to Harry on his big day. A well-placed source told the Daily Express, “The King will reach out to Harry on his birthday. Although the family are not as close as they once were, there is still a lot of love there.” The source added that the royal family tends to use Skype for their long-distance communications, allowing them to see each other face-to-face, with staff ensuring the calls run smoothly.
This olive branch comes at a time when Harry’s relationships with his father, brother Prince William, and sister-in-law Kate Middleton are reportedly strained to the point of radio silence. The rift, which has been widening ever since Harry and Meghan’s departure from royal duties, was further exacerbated by the release of Harry’s tell-all memoir Spare in January 2023.
Despite the family drama, Harry seems to be embracing this new chapter in his life with optimism. In a recent statement shared by his spokesperson with the BBC, the prince reflected on his upcoming milestone: “I was anxious about 30, I’m excited about 40,” he said. “Whatever the age, my mission is to continue showing up and doing good in the world.”
The duke also touched on how fatherhood has shifted his perspective. “Becoming a father of two incredibly kind and funny kids has given me a fresh perspective on life, as well as sharpening my focus in all my work,” Harry shared. “Being a dad is one of life’s greatest joys and has only made me more driven and more committed to making this world a better place.”
While the royal family may not be present for Harry’s birthday celebrations, it seems the duke won’t be short on festivities. Sources close to the couple report that Meghan has planned a weekend of low-key celebrations in California. The itinerary reportedly includes a family day at home with their children, Archie, 5, and Lilibet, 3, followed by a small gathering with close friends.
“Harry is quite low-key when it comes to celebrating his birthday,” a friend told Vanity Fair. “This will be a special occasion, but not over-the-top and with the people he really counts as close friends.” There’s also talk of a boys-only trip on the horizon, giving Harry a chance to celebrate with his international circle of friends.
As Harry enters his forties, those in his inner circle paint a picture of a happy life. “He feels he has ticked all the boxes: He’s married, he’s a dad, he’s living the life he always wanted to live away from the media at home, and he’s really happy,” one friend shared with Vanity Fair.
However, this newfound happiness hasn’t come without its costs. As a former royal courtier previously noted, “He misses his father and the close relationship he had with his brother, but I get the impression he’s relieved to be away from some of the toxicity that came with being in the royal family. He’s living a simpler life now and, I would say, a happier one.”
As Harry blows out his birthday candles this weekend, many royal watchers will be keeping a close eye on any signs of reconciliation between the duke and his family. Could King Charles’ gesture be the first step towards healing their fractured relationship? Only time will tell.
