Prince Harry has once again made headlines in the United Kingdom, although this time it hasn't been due to a controversial public appearance or a new project. The reason is the cold reaction from the British royal family on a significant date for him.
The Duke of Sussex turned 41 years old this September 15, and the institution made no reference to it. Meanwhile, the official Palace accounts were focused on preparing for the arrival of a top-level international guest.
Return to London and the distance with his family
Harry returned to London recently, although he did so for only a short period of time. His meeting with King Charles III lasted just 55 minutes, a detail that did not go unnoticed by observers of British royal life.
The reason for his stay in Europe was his involvement in the Invictus Games, which even took him to Kyiv on a trip that drew international attention. However, his time in London left the impression that his relationship with his family remains distant.
The prince returned to California with Meghan Markle without having made any public appearances with other members of the royal family. That secrecy fuels comments about the cooling of family ties, despite attempts to show cordiality.
The snub on his 41st birthday
The British royal family has been called out after what happened this Monday, September 15. There was no public birthday greeting for Prince Harry on his 41st birthday. The institution's official social media accounts overlooked the most personal date for Charles III's youngest son.
Instead, the Palace focused its communication on preparations for the state visit of Donald and Melania Trump to the United Kingdom. With videos and images, they showed how final details were being arranged in kitchens, the library, and military quarters.
The contrast was clear: while Harry was left in silence on the official accounts, the royal family was intent on highlighting the reception for the former U.S. president. For many followers, the gesture was interpreted as a snub full of symbolism.
Meghan Markle's support
Meghan Markle did not let the date go by. The Duchess of Sussex congratulated her husband with a social media post that quickly went viral. The chosen image showed Harry dressed in a green pilot's uniform in 2015, during the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain.
Alongside the photograph, Meghan wrote a brief but affectionate message: "Oh, hello, birthday boy," along with a fire emoji. With that gesture, the former actress made clear her unconditional support and her willingness to stand by Harry every step of the way.
The contrast between the royal family's silence and Meghan's dedication did not go unnoticed. While the Palace focused on Trump's preparations, the Duchess opted for a simple yet meaningful gesture. It was a way to remind everyone that, despite the distance from his family, Harry has strong support at home.