The last few days have been marked by a succession of emotions for Prince Harry. His return to the United Kingdom coincided with the anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II's death, a moment full of symbolism. In addition, there was a desired meeting with his father, King Charles III, which has been interpreted as a step toward reconciliation.
After that trip, the Duke of Sussex celebrated his birthday with his family. Among the many birthday wishes he received, Meghan Markle's stood out, as she once again used social media to publicly show her support for him. Her gesture sparked debate in the United Kingdom, especially because the royal family remained silent and didn't share any birthday wishes.
The message that makes the Windsors uncomfortable
On September 15, Meghan Markle congratulated her husband with an Instagram post that drew everyone's attention. "Oh, hi, birthday boy," wrote the Duchess, accompanying the message with a fire emoji and a photo of Prince Harry dressed as a military pilot.
After the desired meeting with King Charles III, all eyes turned to the British royal family's social media. Many expected a public birthday greeting for Prince Harry on such a significant day, but that mention never came. The absence of the message surprised monarchy followers and further fueled speculation about the family's distance.
Meghan's birthday wish was interpreted as more than just a simple show of affection. The act of sharing an image of Harry in uniform was seen as a reminder of his career and the life he left behind. Above all, it was understood as a way to reaffirm that her husband is going through a fulfilling stage far from the royal institution.
Weeks earlier, the Duchess had already hinted at the warm welcome she was preparing for Harry after his visit to the United Kingdom. "When your beau comes back to town..." she wrote alongside a photo of two glasses of wine. The detail reflected the couple's complicity, united in the face of adversity.
That kind of gesture, although seemingly harmless, is uncomfortable for the Windsor family. The monarchy has never hidden their discomfort with the couple's public exposure and, especially, with the narrative of unity they project. Meghan's latest move was interpreted as a veiled confession: that her marriage remains strong despite the contrary wishes of some.
Silences that rekindle distances
Harry's birthday revealed another reality: the silence of the Prince and Princess of Wales. Neither William nor Kate publicly congratulated the Duke of Sussex, as they had done in previous years. The gesture, or rather its absence, reinforced speculation about the lack of contact between the brothers.
The last public birthday wish from the future monarchs dates back to last year. Back then, they shared a message of good wishes on social media along with a photo of Harry smiling. This year, the omission was evident and didn't go unnoticed among royal family followers.